There’s nothing more disappointing than walking out to your garden, ready to pick the juiciest tomatoes of the season — only to find them cracked, split, and ruined before you can even harvest them.
If you’ve ever grown tomatoes, you know this heartbreak all too well.
Tomatoes splitting isn’t just bad luck — it’s usually the result of uneven water supply , thin skin , or sudden changes in humidity or temperature .
Let’s explore what causes tomato splitting — and how you can stop it in its tracks.
🌧️ What Causes Tomatoes to Crack?
Tomato splitting (or cracking) happens when the fruit absorbs too much water too quickly — causing the inside to swell faster than the outer skin can stretch.
This often occurs:
After a dry spell followed by heavy rain
When overwatering follows a dry period
In varieties with thin skins (like cherry tomatoes)
There Are Two Main Types of Cracking:
There Are Two Main Types of Cracking:
Radial cracking
Cracks radiate from the stem downward — often seen in overripe or thin-skinned tomatoes
Concentric cracking
Circular cracks around the top — usually appear as the fruit ripens
Both types make tomatoes vulnerable to mold, pests, and rot — turning your hard work into wasted food.
5 Common Reasons Tomatoes Split (And How to Fix Them)
1. Inconsistent Watering
When tomatoes go from dry soil to suddenly soaked, they pull in water rapidly — and the skin can’t keep up.
Fix: Water regularly and deeply — don’t let the soil dry out completely between watering.
2. Heavy Rain After Dry Weather
Mother Nature can be unpredictable — and your tomatoes pay the price.
After long dry spells, sudden rain can cause rapid swelling and splitting.
Fix: Cover plants during heavy downpours, especially near ripening time.
3. Thin-Skinned Varieties Are More Vulnerable
Cherry tomatoes, heirlooms, and some paste tomatoes are naturally more prone to cracking.
Fix: Choose thicker-skinned varieties like ‘Roma’, ‘Celebrity’, or ‘Mountain Gold’ if splitting is a recurring issue.
4. Overripe Tomatoes Are More Likely to Burst
The longer a tomato stays on the vine, the softer the skin becomes — making it more likely to crack under pressure.
SEE NEXT PAGE
ADVERTISEMENT
