My tomatoes were doing great, then we got a big rain after a dry stretch and now half of them have splits across the top. Some are still ripening fine but a few are starting to rot where they cracked. Is there anything I can do at this point, or is this just going to keep happening every time it rains? Wondering if I should be watering differently or if some varieties just handle it better than others.
Oh, cracking after a rain — that’s one of those things that catches almost every tomato grower off guard the first time. You’re not doing anything wrong; it’s just how tomatoes work under the hood.
What’s happening
When the plant has been a little thirsty and then suddenly gets a big drink, it takes up water fast. The inside of the fruit swells quicker than the skin can stretch, and — crack. A slow, steady moisture supply is what the skin needs to keep pace.
Right now, with the ones already split
Pick anything that’s cracked and showing any color at all. A cracked tomato sitting on the vine is an open invitation to rot and insects. Bring them in and let them finish ripening on the counter — they’ll be just fine to eat. Cut away any rotted bits and use the rest promptly. Don’t leave cracked ones out there hoping they’ll heal; they won’t, and they’ll just get worse.
Keeping it from happening again
- Consistent moisture is the whole game. Deep, regular watering — rather than letting the soil dry way out between sessions — smooths out those boom-and-bust swings. A soaker hose or drip line at the root zone makes this much easier than overhead watering.
- Mulch heavily. A good 3–4 inches of straw or wood chips around the base slows evaporation, so the soil moisture stays more even between rains.
- When you know a big rain is coming, pick anything that’s blushing. It’ll ripen on the counter and you’ll save it from splitting.
On varieties
Yes, some handle it better than others. Roma types and paste tomatoes generally crack less than big slicers. Among slicers, look for varieties described as “crack resistant” — Juliet, Celebrity, and Mountain Fresh Plus are ones I’ve seen hold up better. That said, even crack-resistant varieties will split if the conditions are extreme enough.
Hope that helps you save what’s left of this batch. Sounds like you’ve got a good crop going — just one rough week of weather. Keep at it!