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
Garden tomatoes typically require 1-2 inches of water a week. 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.
Should I water tomato plants every day? ›
You want the soil to be damp around the plant to a depth of 6" to 8". In most climates, this will mean watering once each day, but that can change depending on the amount of rainfall and the temperature in your location.
Can you overwater a tomato plant? ›
Can tomato plants be overwatered? 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). 'These plants need water and air just like humans.
What is the best amount of water for 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. Learn how often to water tomatoes, whether you're growing them in pots, garden beds, or raised beds.
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.
What are signs of not enough water for tomato plants? ›
Here are some signs you should keep an eye out for:
- Wilted leaves in the morning.
- Tomato leaves curling.
- Dry soil.
- Stunted growth.
One sign of overwatered tomato plants is drooping stems and foliage. Wilting occurs when the soil holds more moisture than the roots can take up but it can also mean the soil is too dry and the plants need water.
Should I spray water on tomato plants? ›
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.
When should you stop watering tomatoes? ›
Starting in mid-August, blossoms on large-fruited varieties will not mature and ripen before the end of the season. Remove blossoms and small fruit to encourage ripening of the remaining tomatoes. Reduce or stop watering about mid- to late-August to stress the plant and encourage ripening.
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.
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.
Is it good to water tomato plants everyday? ›
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.
Are tomatoes better in pots or ground? ›
Garden soil from planting beds tends to be too heavy for containers — it will over-compact — and may contain disease organisms. Tomatoes are susceptible to diseases (such as blight) and pests (like nematodes) that can hang out in soil, and one advantage of growing in pots is that doing so can reduce outbreaks.
What is the best fertilizer for tomatoes? ›
Look for a fertilizer that has a high middle number, which represents phosphorus, in the N-P-K analysis. Commonly available fertilizer analysis that are great for tomato seedlings include 8-32-16 and 12-24-12. Mix the fertilizer with water according to package directions.
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.
Can tomatoes get too much sun? ›
Tomatoes need plenty of sunlight to produce fruit, typically around six to eight hours a day. Too much sun and heat can cause tomatoes to get sunscald. “Sunscald happens when the tomatoes are hit with the direct waves of the sun without any protection, similar to sunburn on us humans,” says Key.
Why are the leaves on my tomato plant turning yellow? ›
Nutrient Deficiency is a Likely Cause. The most common reason why the leaves on established tomato plants turn yellow is a lack of nutrients in the soil. Tomatoes are extremely heavy feeders and require plenty of nutrients to grow healthy and be fruitful. Signs of nutrient deficiency often start low on the tomato plant ...
What is the best watering system for tomatoes? ›
The most efficient and effective method for watering tomato plants is drip irrigation, which delivers water directly to the root zone, minimizing water wastage and promoting healthy plant growth. It provides water and nutrients on demand.
