Why do Tomatoes Crack and How to Prevent It

Tomato cracking is something that every gardener tries to prevent. It can be very frustrating to lose a bunch of fruit to cracking. In this short episode I will show you guys for ways to prevent cracking, as well as how fast tomatoes can crack if left ignored. Check out our new clothing line! http:www.freshpickedapparel.com

[@nataliemeador9034]

When a tomato reaches full size it becomes pale green. This is when the ripening process starts, which is regulated by an internal gas produced within the fruit called ethylene. When the tomato reaches the breaker stage, when it is about half green and half pinkish-red, a layer of cells form across the stem of the tomato sealing it off from the main vine. When this occurs, there is nothing that can move from the plant into the fruit. The tomato can be harvested and ripened off the vine with no loss of flavor, quality or nutrition. Harvesting at the breaker stage offers several advantages to a tomato grower. It lightens the fruit load on the plant, reducing the chance of cracking or fruit damage, and also allows the grower to control the ripening process.

[@shadyman6346]

Natalie Meador Very helpful, thanks!

[@shadyman6346]

Mike R. Truthfully, tomatoes usually crack because of irregular watering.

[@spectacularrx52]

@@MikeR65 I assumed she meant nutrients.

[@williwonti]

Leave them in a sunny window sill while they finish ripening and they'll taste pretty good

[@irishpixierose]

You can individually wrap the un ripe tomatoes in news print, place the wrapped fruit in a brown paper bag and store in a cool dark place until you want to use them.

[@JNYC-gb1pp]

I literally came on youtube to search 'why are my tomatoes cracking' and there is a video by MI-G on that subject!

[@stevenweikel3468]

Wow you read my mind because mine have starting to crack like stitches

[@sheryamiraslani6596]

Me too

[@triciawilliamson2081]

Went out this morning after a day and night of 2 inches of rain and found all my ripe tomatoes had cracked. Didn't know why. Now I know and will not let that happen again. Thanks Luke.

[@adelineparinduri]

Got sudden rain last night. I'm pulling out some toms today. Just perfect timing for a reminder. Thanks Luke! Much blessings.

[@tomm2812]

Luke, i was pondering this the other day. Best

[@Still-Learning]

I'm a first time gardener, late bloomer, raising cherry tomatoes in a 5 gallon self wicking bucket. Plant is over 7ft. My first bunch have started ripening on the vine. First cherry to ripen cracked, first time I've ever encountered such a phenomenon. YT gurus say its probably due to my inconsistent watering. 20+ days of temps >90°. Leaves were often curled so I watered to relieve MY tension and stress, learned about the plant's physiological response to heat. Watching the remaining tow-maters closely, as I am...Still Learning.

[@jessee7334]

If your cherry tomatoes crack you are really overwatering. It's not a phenomenon it's your own stupidity staring back at you.

[@Neyobe]

Toronto here. You were talking about the rain and it came from the south. We had the rain for an entire day and it’s just started to clear up and get sunny. So cool to see a gardener that I can relate to. So many are in the California/south/ tropical regions and I can’t follow their seasons and time/ temperatures properly. Thanks!

[@susanjordan2130]

Luke, thanks for all you videos. You are informative and a delightful guy.

[@Gormfork]

This video is a blessing, my cherry tomatoes have just about all been lost to cracking. On the up side, I got my more viney boys staked up today and they've reached over 7 feet tall! Thanks for the info!

[@mellyg8872]

As always Luke, very informative, which is why I subscribed! I’ve learned so much from you. Thank you 🍅🌻

[@myflospy]

I have a Black Prince too which I chose entirely because my grandmother was born in Siberia. It’s leaves are curling (upward) and in general it just looks sad but it’s growing. I water daily. Has not been windy. However, here in VA it’s in the 90s for weeks at a time in the summer. Should I worry or just expect it to look sad in these temps? PS I’m hunkered down with my cousin for Covid and use your videos to teach her kids (6 and 9) science/gardening. They always ask “What does MIgardener say?!” Your at THE authority for them. So thanks for making lockdown life a little easier on two kids.

[@lybiwinzenz2880]

Excellent video, and very timely for my Colorado garden!

[@JosephinesDesigns]

I so appreciate your channel and so appreciate your seeds!!! Thanks so much!!! My husband and I just had this conversation yesterday and he didn't believe the extra water could cause them to crack. He said...too much heat here in TX. When I mentioned your video as it popped up in my feed....he immediately said watch it and let me know!!! ;) Perfect timing!!! Thanks y'all...keep on growing!! k :)

[@CatGrace66]

Thank you. I suspected that was the case with the recent storm we had. I've been fighting splits and the end rot on the romas. So good to know there is something easy to try.

[@vanessaweis2859]

Excellent information! We had the same big rain just after the draught here in Pgh. A nice plump golden jubilee that I have been eyeing up... ending up cracking. Now I know why! Thank you!

[@ericmeadows64]

Thank you Luke, You always provide helpful information.

[@lindafontaine4439]

I planted late but they are looking fantastic. I believe it's because I used trifecta for the first time. Last year by this time many of my tomatoes lost their leaves, this year greening out like crazy. Would like too know what ever came of those 80 yr old tomato seeds you found???

[@graniteridgegreens6278]

Your honesty is refreshing and information complete, Thank You. Cheers and Peace Out

[@graniteridgegreens6278]

Nothing worse than a tomato on crack! Lol Sorry I just couldn't resist!

[@landoncapaz5725]

Hey LUKE , I just wanted to say, I love Your VIDEOS, YOU'RE AWESOME. I have been watching your videos for over a year now, and I'm even on videos from your channel from before I subscribed as well. I just wanted to say THANKS!!! THANKS for putting so much into this, for helping so much, I think it's awesome to have a resource like yourself, your channel is awesome and I want to shop on your website, but cannot find any option to shop anymore. Please keep the videos coming you're a BLESSING, thanks again for your hard work, I live in Fl. But your tips always help me.

[@debbiebell4598]

Thank you for the video, I have Roma's that had the blossom end rot, and now I know what to do. I haven't been able to look at them after all the rain overnight and morning on the 2nd but I will make sure to do that tomorrow.

[@High.Desert]

Straight to the point! Very refreshing 🤘

[@deals360]

Once they start turning orange, I have been picking them and letting them ripen indoors. Once they are ripe i freeze them for canning latter.

[@allenrolfzen4131]

Awesome video. Thanks for the advice.

[@djkroniq]

Started my first single stem tomatoes this year, they are hitting 8ft already! TY MI gardener

[@bristolveggiebeds5310]

Great information, I hope I can now prevent cracking!

[@catherinegreen8440]

Super-helpful! Thanks so much for this!

[@tthappyrock368]

Thank you for the tips! I'm going to start amending with calcium in the next couple of weeks. We don't usually get rain in August where I am but I am trying a number of the heirloom varieties. Really excited to see your pineapple tomato because that is one of the ones I'm trying this year!

[@alicestorm6239]

You have great timing.

[@forevertomatogirlfelym635]

Hi Luke, thank you for this information on tomatoes. All my heirloom tomatoes are cracking this year. I think I will try some crack resistant varieties next year. I’ve been watching you for the five years. (My first time to comment).

[@Jlwrgram]

Thanks, I did not know this. Now, hopefully less cracked heirlooms for us. Extremely helpful!

[@HobbiCROCHET]

You are lucky with the rain! Here in U.K. is dry as in desert

[@guyanesegyalgarden8656]

This is exactly what’s happening to some of my tomato! Thanks for the info💕

[@frankpoole4306]

Thank you for the great tips!!

[@wildedibles819]

Great tips i harvest before the rain too if i can....i was wondering if leaving some suckers on the plants will help take up that extra water? Im trying that this year We have a yellow cherry tomato heirloom and brandy wine heirloom tomato but its way to early for me to know

[@TheNicintime]

I enjoy your shorter videos. Thanks!

[@SwampyAcresHomestead]

Thanks for the sharing your information

[@iplayrunescape301]

I got the seeds and started/ planted the recommended August plants. They're all sprouting. Germination 100% except for the ones I allowed to dry out momentarily. Peanuts are growing. Peas, beans, squash, pumpkin... Many more, etc. I bought all the available seeds and a homestead pack. Thanks for letting me know how to grow these things.. lol 🤣

[@MrsPink64]

I watch the weather like crazy in summer. I pick before the rain, when I can.

[@thebradoctor]

Thanks so much. This is my first garden. I have a purple tomatoe and yep.... cracks! At least I can eat as I learn! 😁

[@dylangaran3293]

I looked at my tomatoes yesterday and I had a crack on it. And been wondering why it did that. Thank you

[@kcloveswebkinz]

Dear MI Gardener, I appreciate all the information you provide! I pursued a garden for my third time; however, I have learned more this time from channels like you! I hope you can answer my questions in your free time! Stay safe and thank you for the lessons! 1) How do some tomato plants grow pretty tall while others stay under 3 feet tall? 2) Why is my sunflower not growing? I planted it in June; however, it is only 1 foot tall with few leaves and no bloom.

[@cherylguardino4030]

Thank you for sharing your information

[@kellywdoradotcom]

Another great video thank you.

[@jackiehorsley9263]

thanks for the Tip I well definitely try doing that

[@murzua5]

Thanks very informative. New tropical storm on it's way up the east coast now!

[@RainyJo715]

I really try not to over water. I find it’s better to underwater in the northern plains, because we get those gusher rainstorms out of nowhere. And so far, I haven’t had a split tomato yet. It’s just a lucky year. I’ve been gardening long enough to know that..lol But I do think that helps here in zone 5, for me anyway. And that’s my in ground garden. We’ve actually had a good few dry days with mild temps, after a scorching 🥵 Summer of relentless heat since May, so it’s a welcomed change, although it won’t last long. So I’ve been watching quite a few pretty ripe tomatoes 🍅 on the vines very closely, and they are going to be good and sweet when I pick them all this week, before the heat and rain returns for the weekend.👌 Split or no split, those are some great looking tomatoes you’re getting! Happy gardening.:) 👍🌻🍀🍅👌

[@justuslightworkers]

That rain was a godsend! Personally I am okay with a couple cracked tomatoes (though I don't think any of mine did) if it means actual RAIN!!! but yeah thanks for the tips man! Actually wish I has known those tips for all my cracked heirlooms last year, but then I didn't know you last year. You're great man!

[@leefield2382]

Thanks for the info

[@candyackley1255]

Great timing, thank you! 😁😁

[@Neyobe]

Lots of people throw these away and that annoys me. It’s just a crack and it still tastes the same

[@Neyobe]

Flannery's Notebook yeahhh

[@pauljjalix7400]

I throw some & eat some. When my chocolate cherries crack, which is why I am looking at this video, many times they are contaminated already by the time I get there. I already, yesterday, began removing the volunteer Romas because usually when they crack it's all the way down & the entire tomat is spoiled.

[@pauljjalix7400]

@Flannery's Notebook Throwing them away means literally throwing them. I pick them off the vine & just throw them somewhere else in the garden. Sometimes toward the compost pile where they might score or they just land on the ground somewhere for possible reseeding next year. I collect very little garbage. I almost never put things out on the street maybe about once every two months. We have free recycling so I do that. Organic material that can be composted never makes it to that trash. I am not a normal person and never have been, so I can understand your concern.

[@Genxlettuce]

Ever try de-leaf a plant about 2-3 weeks before anticipated harvest? Or, take a spade shovel and ring around the bush to disconnect a major portion of the root mass? It’s kinda cool, 😉 I noticed a comparable difference in zippering .

[@Rockhurst22]

Literally just picked a cracked tomato and got on KZbin as I was curious and this video was the first recommended one even though it was only posted 4 hrs ago. Crazy coincidence.

[@alanwallis2467]

Thanks for the info..from the UK..

[@kerry1963qld]

Thankyou sooo much , great video

[@spectacularrx52]

Haven't even watched this yet but I know this is because we got all that rain yesterday and today in MI. 😅

[@calgal7828]

I just opened my IPad to search why my toms are cracking and there you were! Thanks 😎

[@rocknroll8456]

Outstanding....thank you!

[@Ladythyme]

I definitely always wondered..ty

[@Iloveorganicgardening]

thanks Luke. I know I need to pick mine earlier!!

[@DebbyBoyce]

Great tips 🧡

[@RobKinneySouthpaw]

Same weather system cracked my tomatoes last couple days as it blew up to you through Missouri

[@akmetalhead95]

My first ever tomato (Cherokee Purple) started cracking a few days ago. I've been waiting for it to ripen for a while and it's the only one growing on my plant (it's still green). 😭 This video came just in time!!

[@justuslightworkers]

I had Cherokee purples last year from another seller. They cracked like crazy and I swore off them. Hubby didn't like their flavor much anyway. They're cool though!

[@ManagingMarcee]

First rule of fight club..... hahaha! Luke’s poor knuckles! Thank you for all of the useful information!

[@NixPix]

we beat the hurricane and my garden was spared.

[@CapybaraCM]

Lucky you! I’m crossing my fingers today. Especially for my sunflowers about to bloom.

[@NixPix]

C M good luck 🍀

[@ThesmartestTem]

Also in MI here. I ran out to grab some before they cracked in all that rain.

[@michelelynn6914]

I live in Michigan as well and a few beefsteaks split around the parameter of the tomatoe. I didn't harvest before the rain as they were still orange. Ugh

[@markallen8027]

I'm no gardening genius, but it seems to me you may have missed an option. It seems to me that if your tomatoes are container grown or otherwise isolated from groundwater and covered to prevent or control the amount of rain they get, this would also prevent cracking. It would also require a much more stringent watering regimen so one would have to decide if the cracking is a big enough problem to justify the extra time and attention required, but it's still a way to prevent cracking... I think.

[@dustman96]

Good stuff. I like off the cuff videos.

[@BernieYohan]

My San Marzono’s also had a little blossom end rot. But a very small percentage

[@trishthehomesteader9873]

Thanks for the calcium comment, Luke! 👍 Still waiting patiently for my crop to ripen. *sigh*

[@anniecochrane3359]

Last year my black cherry tomatoes where the tastiest of all, but many of them cracked. Small tomatoes that crack lose their flavour i find and get mushy fast. None of the others cracked which were larger and a mix of heirloom and hybrid. Now that I understand more fully why tomatoes crack, i will pick the ones more prone before a heavy rain after a dry period. Or will water differently than the others.

[@Nikki-mx5my]

Yup we got the same storm here in NY today as well. It has been bone dry so we needed the rain. How do you suggest supplementing calcium for the tomatoes?

[@BroswithHoes]

Luke just was dealing with this last night as I was picking my orange currants

[@torg5511]

Can you prevent cracking by putting plastic sheeting down, around the plant base? That would prevent the water overload. Or should the plants themselves also be covered? Going to experiment this fall with any stragglers.

[@aquillawallace7979]

Thanks for the tips!! What can we add to add the calcium. I've heard tums work?

[@mplslawnguy3389]

Gypsum and/or lime

[@guylamullins3602]

Roma’s are a frustrating plant here in north central Indiana. The weather this year was very hot in July. It also had fluctuating rain. At the beginning it was dry and now it’s wet. Of course I have blossom end rot issues in some, not all. I also have a white spot growing on the inside skin of some. I’m not sure what that is.

[@simpleman806]

I've been getting megablooms on my tomatoes. It's just off the beefsteak tomatoes that I started from seeds from seeds I've been saving. Didn't have any megablooms last year or year before last

[@KP-ev8by]

It's been pouring over here in the Flint area for days. I put in an irrigation system this year so I've had consistent moisture in the garden. Do you think they're still gonna bust?

[@TheCoolCookieKitchen]

We just finished the storm that you got (southwestern Ontario) this morning and I was just looking out my window at my cherry tomatoes thinking darn it a couple split!

[@TheCoolCookieKitchen]

Paul Reid I'm honestly not sure. My mom gave them to me. The only thing I know is they seem to be determinate tomato plants because they did not get very big.

[@twtw3901]

I'm in SW Ont too. My Tiny Tim's had cracks after the rain.

[@dougmccoy1260]

Pick before the rain? Here in Oregon it may not rain till late September. I can't water with a bunch of ripe ones. Pick, then water has been my plan.

[@salliebeard1899]

Thank you for sharing ❤️💗❤️👍👍👍👍👍

[@jayniedeputy3594]

Thank you for this! Going go to go harvest before this hurricane Isaias comes through!!!

[@pineapplepen540]

Thank heavens for fried green tomatoes!

[@deonlatchman3283]

Thank you

[@asinheaven]

How do I give them a "steady diet of calcium"? I put garden lime on the soil after the first two developed blossom end rot. I understood you to say at the time that garden lime is a slow, timed-release method of adding calcium, so I also watered with diluted milk to get the calcium in right away. I have had one large tomato split so far, so I want to get this right before they all start to ripen.

[@geanvincentalmendras1559]

“I THINK it’s August 2nd???” Haha Quarantine question of the day

[@shadyman6346]

Gean Vincent Almendras Ha! But, seriously, I’ll bet that most gardens look better this year. We have much more time...

[@1fishers]

Shady Man mine does. I added a solar water feature and a cattle panel cherry tomato arch. Then I made another raised bed with flowers. I also added suet and thistle feeders, and to top it off I added a motion activated trail camera with night vision so I can see what what goes on when I am not watching. I am also more weed free than ever.

[@shadyman6346]

1fishers Love it! I added an ornamental bridge, and a hedgerow of butterfly bushes. I also built my first Hugelkulture. I also am setting up for a first time Fall garden!

[@wdtaut5650]

1) Is mulch, to maintain soil moisture, effective? 2) What variety is that at 0:48? I have some similar but they don't match any of my seed packs so I don't know what they are.

[@creescrazylife901]

Who would thumbs his videos down😬 Someone needs to drink more hater-aid and if that don't work then they need to sprinkle thier plants with a double dose of act-right... #dontchokeonacornball great info as always!😊💓

[@MichaelCarolina]

was just wondering this...and there is a video. ;)

[@kristinebryant3221]

For clarification (I'm new at this), if you know it's going to rain do you harvest all the tomatoes - even green tomatoes or just the ones starting to change? All of my tomatoes are cracking and it's so disappointing. My cherries are doing great.

[@RavenSaint1]

I water my tomatoes and I did this the other day. Perfect tomatoes, after I watered and came out to grab the few ripe ones....cracked skin. I use diatomaceous earth which will not only keep bugs off the plants, it also adds calcium to the ground. Along with egg shells turned in at the end of the season.

[@guilly8887]

What's the best way to add calcium. I've been using tums, but my plants seem to need a lot more than 1 tablet per plant.

[@courtneyhester9083]

Would keeping up on their consistent watering help prevent that? A lot of my green cherry tomatoes are starting to crack after I watered them yesterday but had forgot the day before.

[@daniellenicole2986]

I'm in Brooklyn, MI. Picked my tomatoes on the 3rd they were fat with water after the 🌧.

[@stonefly7158]

Question for you but its not about tomatoes? I had bought some Kelsae onion seeds from you this spring? And i have had a few onions that turned out with purple skins on them but the rest are regular onions have you had the same thing happen? Thanks

[@SaucemanSauceman]

Just ate one that was cracked. Was still good though.

[@kimiyemlsmallgardendream8115]

Happened to me yesterday! Went on vacation tomatoes had no watering for 5 days. So of course I watered and split my tomatoes within minutes 🤣🍅

[@prosperousinspain]

Thanks for the advice, we’ve been picking out tomatoes preemptively to avoid this issue. What is your stance on people saying that as soon as the tomato starts blushing, it cuts off the supply from the Vine and simply just sits there and matures? also completely unrelated, I would highly recommend you to get a selfie stick or simply use an iPhone or similar with a wide-angle lens when you’re shooting these videos, all the shaking is really nauseating.

[@daniw9937]

Is adding more trifecta+ good enough for adding calcium?

[@09echols]

We had a steady rain that lasted about 10 to 12 hours yesterday. When I went outside today most of them were cracked