Tomato cracking is mainly caused by uneven watering. The fruit suffers when the plant attempts to cope with the transition from dry, drought-like periods to wet, soggy moments. Adding too much moisture, significantly when the plant has set fruit, may inadvertently flood your tomato plant with water it doesn’t need. This can predispose the plant to fungal diseases and cause premature cracking and splitting in nearly ripened tomatoes.
The soil should be kept consistently and evenly moist, never dry, and not oversaturated with water. A soaker hose and mulch around the plant’s base will help retain and distribute moisture evenly. Mulch acts as a protective layer, reducing evaporation and maintaining soil moisture.
Another key factor that can lead to tomato cracking is calcium deficiency. Calcium is essential for cell wall formation in plants, and a lack of it can result in weaker cell walls, making the fruit more susceptible to cracking. To address this, it's important to consider adding calcium-rich amendments to the soil. This solution is effective and can significantly reduce the risk of tomato cracking, giving you peace of mind about your plant's health.