Home
Newsletter Sign Up
Tomato of the Month
Tomato Growing Tips
Growing Tomatoes Tomato Varieties
Buy Tomato Seeds
Start Tomato Seeds
Potting Mix
Planting Tomatoes
Growing Tomatoes
Raised Bed Tomatoes
Staking Tomatoes
Pruning Tomatoes
Mulching Tomatoes
Watering Tomatoes
Fertilizing Tomatoes
Harvesting Tomatoes
Tomatoes in Pots
Hanging Tomatoes
Tomato Tools
Off-Season Tomatoes Fall Tomatoes
Indoor Tomatoes
Save Tomato Seeds
Tomatoes & Frost
Tomato Problems Problems on Leaves
Problems on Stems
Problems on Fruit
Other Problems
Tomato Diseases
Tomato Pests
Blossom End Rot
Using Tomatoes Canning Tomatoes
Freezing Tomatoes
Drying Tomatoes
Tomato Recipes
Tomato Fun Fruit or Vegetable?
Tomato Facts & Trivia
Tomato Books
Tomato Glossary
Tomato Costumes
Tomato Jokes
Tomato Quiz
Tomato Shirts
Tomato Gifts
Gardening Quotes
Privacy & Contact

“What Are Some Basics I Need to Know About Watering Tomato Plants?”

When you understand what tomatoes use water for, then it setting up a schedule for watering tomato plants makes sense. watering can

Why tomatoes need water
(in plain English)

Tomatoes are fast-growing, heavy-producing plants. They make a lot of food (sugars) in order to grow blossoms, develop fruit, and put out more branches. It takes a considerable amount of water to convert sunlight into energy for a tomato’s many branches and blossoms.

Here’s a quick review from high school biology class about what happens with water in a tomato plant. You can see why water is incredibly important to growing healthy tomatoes.

  • plants absorb water through their roots
  • water finds it way up the plant to the leaves
  • some water is used in the leaves to make food (sugars) for the plant. This process is called photosynthesis, and it’s responsible for converting sunlight into energy for your tomato.
  • some water is released through the leaves to cool them. This process is called transpiration. It’s based on the same principle as perspiration in people.

As a gardener, watering is one factor that you can control!

Top 3 keys to watering tomato plants

It’s simple when you know when, where and how to water them.
  1. WHEN
    Water regularly. Consistent watering produces stronger plants and larger fruit. In the height of summer, water 2-3 times a week. (Rainfall counts.) Later when temperatures cool, scale back to once a week.
  2. WHERE
    Water at the soil line. You’ll help build your tomato’s root system. Avoid overhead watering, which spreads diseases.
  3. HOW
    Water slowly. Let water sink into the ground to help plants develop strong root systems. When the soil surrounding your tomato plant is moistened 6-8” deep, you’ll know you’ve done your job well.

Tomato problems that arise with improper watering

Tomato Problem Causes
blossom-end rot calcium imbalance caused by irregular watering: over watering followed by under-watering means calcium can’t be absorbed consistently into tomato
cracks, splits in fruit irregular watering, over watering after drought: leads tomato skins to expand, contract, and split
small fruit, stunted growth, reduced production irregular watering, under-watering: to stay cool, plants limit the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide through leaves, which slows growth
susceptibility to tomato fungus overhead watering or watering at night, which allows fungi to rest on the leaves
tomato root rot, root loss overwatering: soggy soil prevents roots from getting oxygen
light watering, sprinkling: roots reach to the surface in search of water



More on watering tomato plants ...

Watering tomato plants just after planting ...

Watering tomatoes: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ...

Techniques for watering tomato plants ...

How to water tomatoes in containers, pots, and baskets ...

Are you watering tomatoes enough?


Sign up for the Tomato Dirt newsletter and get a free 20-page guide filled with tips for growing tomatoes!

Your E-mail Address
Your First Name (optional)
Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you Tomato Dirt.

Find us on Facebook


More on growing tomatoes

Growing tomatoes: top 4 areas of tomato care ...

 Best tomato growing tips: readers share their favorites ...

 How and when to mulch tomatoes ...

 What's the best mulch for growing tomatoes?

 How to control weeds in the tomato garden ...

 What are the advantages of staking tomatoes?

 How to use tomato fertilizer for best tomato production ...

Kinds of tomato fertilizer ...

 Organic tomato fertilizer: advantages and disadvantages...

Pruning tomato plants: how and when to do it ...

Return from Watering Tomato Plants - The Basics to Tomato Dirt home



New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave a comment in the box below.

© Copyright 2010-2012. TomatoDirt.com. All rights reserved.
No reproduction without permission.

SBI
SBI!

Search This Site


Join us on Facebook


FREE! Tomato
Growing Tips

20-page guide
when you sign up for
Tomato Dirt newsletter!

free report cover

Email

Name

Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you Tomato Dirt.



tomato plant

Best Tomato
Growing Tips

Share your best
tomato growing tips
with Tomato Dirt readers!
Your Favorite Tip

tomato sprouts

Got a tomato question
or problem?

Click here

Gardener's Supply Company



Tomato Growing Book