The Reason Behind Tomatoes Splitting

Did you know those heavy downpours we've been getting lately could be the reason your tomatoes take a sudden turn for the worse.

“We need the rain.” How many times have you heard or said that…especially if you have a garden. But actually, did you know those heavy downpours we’ve been getting lately could be the reason your tomatoes take a sudden turn for the worse. Tomatoes crack or split when there’s rapid changes in water availability. If it’s been a dry season and then there’s a sudden downpour. The rapid intake of water can cause fruits to expand faster than their skins can stretch. It’s kind of like when we get stretch marks. Other factors can contribute to the splitting, but the most common cause of is a heavy rain following periods of dry weather. So, the advice is to watch the weather when it’s been dry. Southern Living editors suggest harvesting nearly ripe ones before a rainstorm to prevent cracking.