Perfectly vine-ripened tomatoes have to rely on more than sunshine.
Tomatoes are generally known as easy to grow, but watering is where things can go awry.
There’s a little bit of Goldilocks involved in getting just the rightwatering frequencyfor your tomatoes.
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Water too much, and you could end up with soggy roots and rotten tomatoes.
Water too little, and you could end up with a less-than-stellar harvest.
We talked to Rebecca Sears,chief marketing officer at Ferry-Morse, for advice.
Rebecca Searsischief marketing officer and resident green thumb atFerry-Morse.
Which Factors Determine Watering Frequency?
Not alltomato plantsare growing under the exact same conditions.
This is true from state to state where soil and climate vary greatly.
But it can even be true in the same neighborhood.
In extreme heat, tomatoes in containers will need to be watered daily.
Soils with more clay hold water, so watering once per week is usually sufficient," says Sears.
But, in a container, all it has is recent rainfall or the water you feed it.
Mature and fruiting plants require less watering, up to a couple of inches of water each week.
Sears recommends watering more frequently in the beginning and scaling back as the tomatoes grow.
“The first week in the ground, tomatoes will require watering every day to become established.
After that first week, slowly reduce watering,” says Sears.
Once thetomato plantsstart working hard to produce fruit, you may need to increase the water slightly.
But there’s one easy rule when it comes to knowing when it’s really time to water.
Sears recommends relying on your own sense of touch.
“If the soil feels dry a few inches down, its time to water,” she says.
If you have in-ground beds, then you will fortunately have to water your tomatoes less.
They will be able to draw from the water in the soil.
At the height of summer, however, you could water them three to four times a week.
Tomatoes in raised beds are treated similarly totomatoes in containers.
They need to be watered frequently to prevent drying out.
This could mean watering every day during the hottest months of the year.
How To Water Tomatoes In Containers
Tomatoes in containers are convenient.
But you also have a higher-maintenance watering situation.
You should check the soil in your containers daily.
If the soil feels dry, it’s time to water.
Curling or drooping leaves indicate a thirsty tomato plant, as well as drooping stems and yellowing leaves.
The plant may drop flowers or appear to have stunted growth.
If you notice changes in the plant’s leaves, check the soil for dryness and water accordingly.
This lets the water sink in deeply, reaching the rootswhich is where you want it to go.
Water makes leaves more susceptible to disease.
Aim for early or late in the day.
