Tired of seeing your tomatoes split and crack even before you eat them? 

It’s not just unattractive; it makes them less flavorful, too!

First of all, don’t worry—tomatoes splitting open isn’t necessarily an indication that they are inedible. It’s most common with heirloom varieties, and even then, it’s just not a huge problem as long as the tomatoes have some kind of flesh left on them. 

Nevertheless, preventing tomato splitting from happening in the first place is your best bet to have delicious, juicy tomatoes with minimal effort on your part. 

Here are 5 easy ways to prevent your tomatoes from splitting when you pick them.

1. Water (but don’t overdo it)

Water is crucial for your tomatoes’ growth. They need about an inch of water per week—you can do it by hand or set up a drip system, just be sure that you don’t overwater or underwater them.

Morning is the best time for watering because the day’s heat hasn’t evaporated any liquid yet. If you have large containers, you might consider filling them with rainwater, which has a higher concentration of minerals beneficial for plant growth and health. Alternatively, use soaker hoses to allow water to permeate the ground evenly without creating muddy patches or puddles around roots.

2. Use an Organic Fertilizer

Most commercial fertilizers use chemicals that can burn your plant’s roots. The best way to provide healthy soil is through organic, slow-release fertilizers. Plus, these fertilizers are usually less expensive than their chemical counterparts. Remember, when it comes to tomatoes splitting, you’re what you eat! So make sure you’re giving them the nutrition they need.

3. Pruning

If you grow tomatoes indoors or in a greenhouse, it’s even more important to prune them. Pruning involves removing dead leaves and fruit so that tomato plants get better air circulation and light exposure. 

As with outdoor growers, you should ensure that outdoor tomato plants have enough airflow by pruning off dead branches whenever they appear. 

You can also tie the branch down if it needs support and is causing excessive wind resistance on the plant. One way to help prevent your tomatoes from splitting is by pinching off some flower buds as soon as they show up on the plant, which will divert energy back into growing healthy fruits instead of flowers.

4. Temperature Shifts

Tomatoes are sensitive to temperature changes and will split when exposed to temperature fluctuations. Therefore, it is important that your tomatoes are kept at a constant 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Always store your tomatoes on their sides for them not to split. 

If you live in an area that experiences drastic temperature changes, it might be beneficial to invest in a home tomato greenhouse so you can keep your tomatoes even more regulated. 

You should also ensure that the plants have sufficient water and nutrients so they won’t experience splitting problems. Of course, there are plenty of benefits to owning a greenhouse as well!

5. Manage the Wetness of Soil

Watering soil that is too wet can also cause tomatoes to split. Watering plants in warm, sunny weather can lead to fast transpiration or water evaporation through leaves and stems. 

In order to maintain optimum moisture levels, avoid over-watering your tomato plants by keeping a close eye on their soil moisture levels, especially during hot summer days when temperatures are high, and you’re tending to more plants than usual. 

Conclusion

Tomato flesh can easily split and expose seeds when you cut them. This can happen for a number of reasons, including insufficient calcium in your soil or improper watering habits. However, there are some ways to prevent splitting in your tomatoes. 

By giving them ample nutrients through proper soil management and care, as well as learning how much water they need, you can help keep your tomatoes healthy enough to avoid splitting at harvest time.

 If you follow the tips mentioned above, there’s no reason you should ever have to deal with a split tomato again!