Splitting happens after a hard rain and is caused by ‌sudden moisture changes. A rapid water level increase leads the fruit inside to swell faster than the skin can stretch, resulting in cracks. 

    This issue is often worse for those growing tomatoes in the deep south, where humidity is high. It is also common during drought, as the plants respond by producing fruits with tougher skins that cannot handle sudden rapid growth.

    While you cannot completely prevent splitting, you can reduce it by keeping moisture levels consistent within the plants. In this quick guide, I’ll tell you how to grow tomatoes that are less prone to splitting.



    Tips to Reduce Tomato Splitting

    Follow these basic tips to keep tomato plants healthy and reduce splitting skins:

    • Watering: Keep tomato plants evenly and regularly watered, avoiding drying and overwatering cycles. This prevents shock from hard rains. Water at the plant base in morning hours. Avoid overhead watering. Drip irrigation works well.
    • Fertilizing: Use balanced organic fertilizers or compost. Avoid synthetics that cause bursts of water-sensitive growth.
    • Harvesting: Pick tomatoes after a hard rain. This prevents further splitting on the vine. Allow the picked fruit to ripen indoors.
    • Variety Selection: Some varieties readily split more than others. Look for crack-resistant tomatoes like Celebrity, Defiant, and Sun Leaper.
    • Pruning: Removing suckers and shading leaves helps prevent splitting by allowing good air circulation.
    • Soil Management: Amend soil with compost to improve drainage and balance nutrients. Dry soil causes tomatoes to swell after rains.
    • Mulching: I find that mulching around tomato plants with 2-3 inches of organic matter like shredded bark or leaves helps maintain consistent soil moisture. Watch and replenish mulch as needed to reduce splitting.

    Further Strategies for Preventing Split Tomato Fruits

    If you follow the basic tips above and still see a lot of splitting tomatoes, follow these more in-depth strategies: 

    • Provide Support: Staking, trellising, or caging plants takes weight off tomatoes, reducing splits. Strong roots and stems are less prone to splitting.
    • Track Soil Moisture: Use soil moisture probes or meters to track conditions. Water when top few inches become dry. Deep watering encourages deep roots.
    • Avoid Excess Nitrogen: Too much nitrogen leads to fast, weak growth. Use balanced organic fertilizers instead of high-nitrogen synthetics.
    • Control Pests: Insects and diseases stress plants and make fruits prone to cracking. Control pests and diseases through practices like crop rotation, row covers, and organic sprays.
    • Pick Before Rain: Harvest ripe tomatoes before storms when possible. Store at room temperature, out of direct sun until ready to eat.
    • Select Smaller Fruits: Cherry and grape tomatoes have thinner skins and rarely split, unlike large fruits. Choosing the right variety of tomatoes to plant can make all the difference.

    So, Is It Possible to Prevent Tomato Splitting Completely?

    While proper growing methods can minimize tomato splitting, some splitting will likely still happen during heavy rains later in the season. Taking these steps to maintain optimal, consistent soil moisture reduces the chances. 

    Today’s Homeowner Tips

    When fruits do split, they are still perfectly fine to eat if promptly harvested and brought inside. A little splitting is an acceptable trade-off for the wonderful flavor of homegrown tomatoes.


    FAQs About Preventing Split Tomatoes

    How long after watering do tomatoes split?

    Tomatoes can split within hours after heavy rain or watering. Rapid water uptake causes fast expansion inside the fruit.


    What causes radial cracking in tomatoes?

    Uneven watering causes radial cracks at the stem end. Mulching and tracking soil moisture helps prevent this split type.


    Do heirloom tomatoes split more than hybrids?

    Some heirlooms like Brandywine and Black Krim readily crack, while others like Cherokee Purple and Green Zebra resist splitting well. It depends on the variety.


    Should tomatoes be watered from above or below?

    Watering at soil level rather than overhead provides more even moisture. Drip irrigation is ideal. Avoid wetting foliage, which can encourage diseases.


    Is blossom end rot related to tomato splitting?

    No, blossom end rot is a dark leathery patch caused by calcium deficiency. Splitting results from rapid water uptake through healthy skin.


    Editorial Contributors
    avatar for Coty Perry

    Coty Perry

    Expert Writer & Reviewer

    Coty Perry is a lawn and garden writer for Today’s Homeowner. He focuses on providing homeowners with actionable tips that relate to the “Average Joe” who is looking to achieve a healthier and greener lawn. When he isn’t writing he can almost always be found coaching youth football or on some trail in Pennsylvania in search of the next greatest fishing hole.

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    Casey Daniel

    Casey Daniel is a writer and editor with a passion for empowering readers to improve their homes and their lives. She has written and reviewed content across multiple topics, including home improvement, lawn and garden care, sustainability, and health and wellness. When she’s not reviewing articles, Casey is usually playing board games, repainting her bathroom, or quilting.

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