Tomatoes are easy to grow making them very popular with home gardeners. They’re a sturdy harvest and can withstand changes in weather conditions but when prolonged summer heat hits, it doesn’t just stresses people and power grids, in addition, it causes problems for the tomato plants. If you plan ahead and follow these important ideas, you and your tomato plants may weather another heat wave without wilting in sunlight.
Summer Plant
Tomatoes thrive in hot, sunny weather but even the most powerful tomato plant could be stressed if the temperature hovers above 90 degrees for a long time. Several tomato plant problems become far more prevalent in hot weather for example blossom end rot, splitting, cracking and spider mites.
Blossom end rot begins as a light-hearted place on the blossom end of the fruit that develops and darkens as the tomato ripens. Chemically, blossom end rot is caused by too little calcium that enters the plant with water through the roots. If the roots are dry, calcium and water can not enter the plant.
Ripe Tomato
Splitting and cracking develop in the skin of the tomato, usually after the tomato has grown to full size and is almost ripe. It’s due to a sudden surge in growth and a surprising lack of moisture. A prolonged moist period, possibly from a stretch of rainy weather or excessive watering, will get the berries and plant to grow rapidly. When a heat wave strikes and that abundant moisture is no longer accessible, the tomatoes develop cracks.
Spider mites love tomato plants and warmth. They attack the plant leaves leading to a random yellowish, web-like pattern on the leaves. A garden dust will often control them. A continuous supply of moisture will normally keep them away.
Lack of moisture
How much water does one tomato plant need? A mature tomato plant requires at least one inch of water weekly. That translates into approximately three to five gallons per plant. This is a complete amount that ought to incorporate water you supply AND any rain Mother Nature supplies. A simple rain gauge from the local garden supply store can help you measure both these amounts.
The ideal way to provide the crops your share of this water is a slow, continuous application to the roots at least one time each week. Drip irrigation right to the ground using a soaker hose is best. Pouring a 5 gallon bucket of water at the bottom of each plant isn’t suggested. Maintaining a coating of at least 4 inches of mulch at the base of the plant can help retain the moisture in the soil and prevent the tomato plant roots from drying out.
In very hot weather, even once the temperature regularly reaches over 95 degrees, especially if the humidity is reduced, the plant will require more water. Watering every 3 to 4 days is a fantastic idea rather than just once each week. The target is to maintain a regular supply of moisture from the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. The soil should be moist but not wet. Avoid overwatering. It won’t do your tomato plants any good. Soil moisture meters are available from your local garden supply shop to help you with this. A metal probe is inserted into the soil and the meter will tell you how wet or dry the soil is.
Final Word
Additionally it is important to not forget that the best time to water is early in the morning. If you water throughout the day, sunlight will evaporate a whole lot of the water you apply. If you water later in the day, the tomato plants will be wet immediately, greatly increasing the chance of fungus to develop.
