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[Tomato Dirt #127] Cracked Up? Tomato Cracks and What To Do About Them
July 12, 2017

Tomato Dirt Newsletter
Volume 7, Number 11

Dear Tomato Dirt reader,

Welcome back to Tomato Dirt! A couple of times a month, we’ll send you this newsletter packed with tips about growing tomatoes and using them.

It's Good to Be a Drip

Consistent watering: it’s a must for a healthy tomato crop, especially in the heat of the summer. But did you know there are all kinds of garden hoses at prices for all gardener’s budgets? It’s true. Take a look.

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FEATURE: Tomato Cracks and What To Do About Them

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Extreme growing conditions – like heat or drought followed by downpours – can mean tomato cracks cut their way through your crop. Here’s how it happens: after drought or heat, tomato plants get too much water too fast. The fruit grows quickly as it absorbs the extra water, but it expands too fast. The tomato skin can’t stretch to accommodate the extra fluid. Cracking alleviates pressure. Here’s what you need to know about tomato cracks:

  • Cracks are most common during warm, wet weather or during a wet spell that follows a drought.
  • Keep watering even throughout the season. You can’t control the weather, but you can keep your plants on a regular watering schedule when it doesn’t rain.
  • Pick cracked tomatoes as soon as possible to prevent fruit from getting infected.
  • Yes – you can eat tomatoes with cracks! Simply cut away the affected part of the fruit.
  • Next season, avoid excessive tomato cracks by planting crack-resistant varieties like Daybreak, Early Girl, Earl of Edgecombe, Heinz 1350, Jet Star, Juliet, Mountain Delight, Mountain Pride, and Valley Girl.

Get more helpful info about tomato cracks …

… and identify other tomato problems on our Tomato Problems Pinterest Board.

Best Tips for Growing Tomatoes

The world's number one tomato Bible. Advice on 1300 varieties, soil preparation, pruning; and extensive help with pests and diseases from a leading industry expert to help you have the biggest, tastiest crop ever.

Tomato Growing Book

Tomato Growing Tip: 2 Kinds of Tomato Cracks

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Get more tips for growing tomatoes on our Tomato Growing Tips Pinterest board.

Water Well and Prevent Tomato Cracks

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Drip soaker hoses from Miracle-Gro and others Garden hoses for hand-watering: No-Kink, lightweight, heavyweight Be a drip! Best-selling irrigation system kits from Koram, Raindrip, more

More Tips about Tomato Problems

Blossom Drop: Why Fruit Doesn’t Set and What To Do About It Tomato Sunscald: Too Much Sun on the Fruit Help! My Tomatoes Have Green Shoulders Why Is There a Hard Core in These Tomato Centers?


That’s it for now. More next time.

Until then, happy gardening!




Kathy with Tomato Dirt
www.tomatodirt.com
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