Tomatoes Cracking and Splitting? 5 Reasons and Solution!

I went through a disheartening experience some years ago. As a gardener, I love planting all my flowers and veggies. The process of watching them grow, bloom and blossom gives me a sense of fulfillment.

Everything turned out great UNTIL I decided to plant tomatoes. At the initial stage, it was going well. I had hopes of harvesting one of the biggest tomatoes for that year.

Unfortunately, my tomatoes started to split and crack JUST during the ripening season. Now, Imagine how hard I must have worked to grow them. At first, I was discouraged.

However, I decided to learn more about what tomatoes crack and split. Well, that was where I got my answers and found the perfect solution.

If you are like me, then you’ve found the right article. I have been in your shoes before BUT I know the way out.

Read this article to know why your tomatoes are cracking and splitting. Also, you will get answers on the steps to take as a remedial action – to save your tomatoes.

Pro Tip: Did you know that you should always water your tomato plants from the stem? Pouring water into the tomato will cause it to crack.

Why do Tomatoes Split?

This is an important question to ask. It was the first thing I thought about. After going through the process of growing tomatoes, why do they split JUST at the ripening season?

Well, I discovered these 5 reasons and have decided to share them with you.

1 – Too Much Water

This is one of the main reasons why tomatoes split. Overwatering your tomato plants can cause them to split and crack. Sometimes, it is not your fault.

For example, if your tomato plants don’t get enough water for a while due to dry spells and suddenly become exposed to excess water from a sudden “huge” rain, the interior part will begin to grow faster than the exterior – leading to an opening.

2 – Choosing a weak species of Tomato

I discovered that some tomatoes are more prone to cracking than others. This is why adequate research is important. If the variety of tomatoes in your garden is the weak one, then it will likely split open during its ripening season.

3 – Inconsistent Watering

Beyond the “too much water” saga, your tomato can split and crack if you subject it to inconsistent watering.

Stick with the amount of water you expose it to. Don’t make it too much. It is detrimental to the overall health of your plant.

4 – Over-ripening

It’s important to know when to take your tomatoes off the vine. Leaving them for too long exposes them to over-ripening and splitting. Once your tomatoes ripen, take them off the vine to preserve their framework.

5 – Nutrient Imbalance

If your tomatoes suffer from a lack of calcium, they will split open. Calcium strengthens the wall cells of your tomatoes – preventing them from cracking when subjected to pressure.

So, a lack of it makes the cell wall weak – exposing your tomato to the risk of splitting open.

How To Prevent Your Tomatoes From Cracking and Splitting

After learning about the causes, I took further steps to look for a possible solution to this problem. Here is what I found out:

Have a consistent watering schedule. When you do this, your tomatoes are prepared for the amount of pressure and can absorb it without splitting open.
Before collecting tomato seeds or seedlings, ensure they come from a crack-resistant variety. With this, you can mitigate the risk of splitting by 70%.
Always learn to harvest your tomatoes IMMEDIATELY after they ripen. Don’t be too early or too late.
Check for the calcium levels of your soil. If it is low, then, use eggshells, or other calcium supplements. They supply adequate calcium, which is required for a healthy tomato fruit.