Tip of the Week: Why Tomatoes Crack

"Cracks or splits can happen in tomatoes either in a circular pattern (concentric) or they may radiate out from the stem. Tomatoes crack when the skin of the tomato does not stretch enough to accommodate growth or internal pressure. Cracking may happen when the tomatoes are green, but most often happen as the fruit nears maturity.The most common cause of cracking is irrigation practices that lead to wide fluctuations of soil moisture from very dry to very wet. An influx of water after a dry spell causes the fruit to quickly expand and ultimately crack. Mulching the soil under the plants can help to regulate soil moisture.

Cracking may also happen when tomatoes are pruned too early, exposing fruit to the heat of the sun. The fruit suddenly heats up during the day and cools relatively quickly at night. The temperature differential is bigger than it would have been had the fruit been shaded. The resulting expansion and contraction of the epidermis and its cells can result in cracking.

To manage cracking, the first step is to start with varieties that are less susceptible to splitting. According to Kansas State University, Mountain Spring, Mountain Pride, Mountain Fresh, Floralina and Sun Leaper are smaller-vined types that have shown good resistance to cracking. Resistant varieties and maintaining soil moisture and fertilization will help to prevent cracking."- Utah State Extension Small Fruits and Vegetable IPM Advisory

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