Imagine having a successful, bountiful tomato harvest every season — juicy, red tomatoes ready for the kitchen.
The good news? You can! Tomato care isn’t hard.
When it comes to growing tomatoes in your organic vegetable garden, the secret is in the soil. Maintaining consistent soil moisture is crucial for a successful harvest.
When, and how frequently, you should water your tomato plants depends on the variety, size and location.
Start Your Seedlings
When starting tomatoes from seed, the soil can dry out quickly since seedlings are typically in small containers or trays. Check soil daily to ensure it has not dried out.
However, seedlings require very little water. Use a spray bottle to mist seedlings and keep just the top of the soil moist.
If the soil becomes too wet, move the seedlings to an area with increased air flow and hold off on watering again until needed. Never let seedlings sit in a puddle of water.
As seedlings begin to sprout and grow, they will need more water. If the soil in the tray dries in less than 24 hours, it might be time to move your seedlings to the garden or a larger container.
Growing in the Garden
When you plant tomatoes right in the ground, the roots can extend deep into the soil as they seek out water. Water newly planted tomatoes well to make sure soil is moist and ideal for growing.
Early in the growing season, watering plants daily in the morning. As temperatures increase, you might need to water tomato plants twice a day. Garden tomatoes typically require 1-2 inches of water a week.
Container Tomato Plants
Tomato plants grown in containers need more water than garden tomatoes. Soil in containers heats up faster which leads to more water evaporation.
A good rule of thumb for containers is to water until water runs freely from the bottom. Water in the morning and check the soil moisture levels again in the afternoon. If soil feels dry about 1 inch below the surface, it’s time to water again.
Keep Tomatoes Well Fed
Adding organic mulch to tomato plants reduces evaporation in the soil. That means less watering, so you can save time and resources.
Add Espoma’s organic Tomato-tone, a slow release premium plant food, for bigger, healthier roots that can withstand a little drought and excess heat.
There are many factors that affect how much water tomato plants need, such as weather conditions and the size and growth rate of the plant. Every plant is different! The best way to give your tomatoes the care they need is to closely monitor the plants and the soil moisture weather.
FAQs
Early in the growing season, watering plants daily in the morning. As temperatures increase, you might need to water tomato plants twice a day. Garden tomatoes typically require 1-2 inches of water a week. Tomato plants grown in containers need more water than garden tomatoes.
How much water should I give my tomato plants? ›
Tomato plants need about 1 to 2 inches of water per week. However, your plants may need more or less water throughout the season, depending on your area's hot weather and rainfall.
Is a gallon of water too much for a tomato plant? ›
Full grown mature tomato plants can easily use 2-3 gallons of water daily, sometimes more. Some may use 4-5 gallons daily.
What is the best watering schedule for tomatoes? ›
Soil that contains a lot of sand doesn't hold water well and dries quickly. Because of this, tomato plants growing in sandy soil may need to be watered more often, about every three or four days. Clay soil, on the other hand, holds water well. Plants growing in clay soil usually only need to be watered once a week.
Should tomatoes be watered every day? ›
Follow these basic rules and produce a great crop of tomatoes this summer: Water correctly: Do not overwater. The first week tomato plants are in the ground, they need water every day, but back off watering after the first week, slowly weaning the plants down to 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week.
How much water is 1 inch of water? ›
Some plants, especially edible crops, come with specific irrigation instructions such as "provide one inch of water per week." One inch of water is 0.68 gallons per square foot.
How do I know if I am watering my tomatoes too much? ›
One sign of overwatered tomato plants is drooping stems and foliage.
What is the best watering system for tomatoes? ›
Undoubtedly the best watering system for tomatoes and many other vegetables is the trickle or drip irrigation system. This eliminates any overhead water and ensures that the roots get what they need.
Can you water tomatoes in the sun? ›
Also, when the plants dry out, the uptake of calcium is interrupted, which causes blossom end rot, the ugly blackened patch on the bottom of the tomato that ruins its looks. So, it's best to water them in the morning before the sun hits them.
What are the rules for watering tomatoes? ›
Always water at the base of the plant — watering from above invites disease. Check tomatoes growing in pots often since they dry out quickly. Be consistent — fluctuations in water supply lead to cracking and blossom end rot. Tomatoes need 1-2 inches of water per week, depending on the weather.
Curling Leaves
Downward-curled leaves may result from overwatering, indicating root stress that can harm plant growth and fruit production. Curling tomato leaves can induce panic in tomato growers, but the problem is more common than you may think.
What is the best fertilizer for tomatoes? ›
High quality compost—material that is well-decomposed, dark in color, and crumbly—is the best tomato fertilizer to use regardless of the soil you're working with. Not only does an annual application of compost boost the nutrients available in the soil, but it also improves soil structure.
Can I water tomato plants too much? ›
Yes, you can easily overwater your tomato plants. When this happens, the soil becomes waterlogged, making it harder for air to reach the roots (which is essential for growth).
Is it okay to water tomato plants in the sun? ›
If they're wet, they might get burned by the sun's rays. Slow watering is essential for happy tomato plants. The water should be absorbed into the soil before you water again, and the soil should be 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimetres) moist.
Do tomato plants need full sun? ›
Tomato plants need at least six hours of full sun exposure daily, but if you want to achieve the best results, increase the yield and grow sweeter fruits, you might aim to give your tomato plants at least eight hours of sun per day.
