Why are my tomatoes cracking and splitting?
Tomato skin cracks when the fruit expands rapidly after a period of drought — inconsistent watering is almost always the cause, though some varieties are simply crack-prone.
Tomato cracking happens when the fruit's interior expands faster than the skin can accommodate. This typically occurs after a dry period followed by heavy rain or a sudden return to regular deep watering — the fruit, having grown slowly in drought conditions, suddenly receives a surge of water and expands rapidly. Cracks radiate from the stem end (radial cracking) or circle the fruit concentrically around the shoulders (concentric cracking).
Mulch is the most effective prevention because it moderates how dramatically soil moisture fluctuates between rainfalls. A consistent watering schedule matters more than the volume applied at any one time. Plants that go through wet-dry-wet-dry cycles will crack; plants that maintain more even moisture levels crack far less.
Some variety selection helps too. Cherry tomatoes — especially Sungold — are notoriously crack-prone regardless of watering because their thin skins can't keep up with rapid growth. Paste varieties tend to crack less. Among slicers, look for variety descriptions that mention crack tolerance if it's been a recurring problem.
Cracked tomatoes are still edible, especially if you pick them as soon as you notice the cracking and eat them quickly. Cracks become a problem when rain gets into the opening and secondary rot sets in. A heavily cracked tomato left on the vine for a few days in wet weather often develops a mold or bacterial soft rot in the crack. Pick promptly, cut away the crack, and use them fast.
- AnthracnoseSunken, dark circular lesions on ripening fruit, sometimes with salmon-colored spores in the center.
- Bacterial WiltCucurbit vines wilt rapidly despite moisture; cut stem shows sticky ooze that threads when pulled apart.
- Bird DamageBerries pecked or missing, seeds scratched from beds, and seedlings dislodged — birds feeding on ripe fruit, seeds, or soil grubs.
- Blossom DropFlowers fall before setting fruit, often during temperature extremes or after weather stress.
- Blossom End RotDark, sunken, leathery patch on the blossom end of tomato or pepper fruit — a calcium deficiency disorder.
- What is that black leathery patch on the bottom of my tomatoes?Blossom end rot is a calcium deficiency at the fruit level, almost always caused by irregular watering rather than a lack of calcium in the soil.
- We're in a drought — how do I keep my garden going?Mulch, deep infrequent watering, and cutting back on what you're growing are the three adjustments that make the biggest difference during drought conditions.
- My tomatoes are still green as fall approaches — will they ripen on the vine?Tomatoes that have started to change color will ripen indoors just fine; fully green tomatoes will not ripen after frost — pick them at any color change and bring them in.