Knowing how often you should water tomatoes can prevent problems and increase the quality of your fruit. 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.
Signs Tomato Plants Need Water
A tomato plant will give you a sign it needs water. Since some signs may indicate overwatering or other issues, check your soil's moisture level first to confirm the plant is thirsty. Here's what to look for:
- Wilted or drooping leaves and stems are usually the first indications your tomatoes are thirsty.
- Leaves will curl inward on themselves when tomatoes need water but this also happens when the temperature is very high.
- The top 2 to 3 inches of soil is dusty or cracked. If only the top inch is dry but the two inches underneath are moist, you can probably wait a little longer to water the plant.
- Growth slows or appears to stop. This can occur if your plant is not receiving enough sun, too.
- The bottom leaves will turn yellow. However, nutritional deficiencies can also cause this problem.
Tip
High temperatures and windy weather can naturally cause plants to look a little droopy. If they perk back up when temperatures drop, the plants probably do not need more water but always check the soil's moisture level.
How Often to Water Tomatoes Based on Growth Stage
Watering frequency depends on tomato growth stage as well as precipitation.
Seedlings
Tomato seedlings that have just germinated will have barely any roots, so their soil needs to stay moist. The frequency at which you water these seedlings will depend on how quickly their environment causes the soil to dry, which could vary wildly, so keep an eye out and make sure the soil stays moist but not wet.
Young Transplants
Water newly transplanted tomato plants daily. Once they are established, or after about ten days, you can slow down your watering. Young but established tomato plants only need one to two inches of water per week.
Mature Plants
Like established transplants, mature tomato plants that have yet to flower need about one to two inches of water per week. This may translate to three or four waterings a week in your area, depending on precipitation. A low-cost rain gauge near your tomatoes will illustrate how much water they've already received.
Fruiting Plants
Continue the same watering schedule as fruits ripen, but reduce the amount of water. Too much water given to ripening fruit causes blossom end rot and cracking. If you are growing tomatoes in-ground, keep in mind that these tomato plants will have established root systems with access to ground water.
How Often to Water Tomatoes According to Your Base
Whether you're growing tomatoes in pots, raised beds, or in the ground, tomatoes need watering to grow strong roots.
Pots
Water potted tomato plants often enough to keep the soil moist but never soggy. Remember that pots dry out quickly. Water potted tomato plants daily at the soil level. You'll know you've watered enough when the water trickles through the pot's drainage holes.
A mature tomato plant in a pot uses a gallon of water daily but you may need to hydrate the plant twice a day in hot, dry conditions.
Raised Beds
Raised beds with a depth of 8 inches are ideal for growing tomatoes. Water established tomatoes in the bed deeply for 20 to 30 minutes three to four times a week.
If your bed is less than 8 inches deep, check plants each day to see if they need water. Watering more frequently for shorter periods may be more effective for shallow beds.
Garden Beds
If you've transplanted your tomatoes into a vegetable garden bed, they'll need daily watering for the first week to 10 days. Always remember to water at the soil level with a soaker hose, a hose nozzle with a gentle setting, or a watering can.
Once roots are established, continue watering three to four times a week. Water for 30 minutes up to two hours with a soaker hose, depending on weather and soil conditions. A mature tomato plant uses about a gallon of water every five days.
Tip
Soaker hoses are ideal for gardens and raised beds. They work efficiently to deliver water directly to roots and can be set on timers.
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How to Water Tomatoes
- Water plants deeply until the top 8 inches of soil are moist.
- Keep leaves and stems dry by always watering at the soil level.
- Check soil moisture at the first sign of wilt.
- Water in the morning and give plants a second watering in the late afternoon.
- Use straw mulch to reduce water evaporation and improve moisture retention.
- Make sure the soil is healthy and well-draining, especially in pots and raised beds. Clay soils and those with heavy organic material are not always well-draining because they hold moisture longer than lighter loamy mixes.
FAQ
Can you water tomato plants too much?
Yes, you can overwater tomato plants. The best approach is a consistent watering schedule that fits the maturity of the plant and its growing conditions.
When should you stop watering tomatoes?
It is okay to stop or reduce watering large, in-ground tomato plants sometime in late summer or early fall, depending on where you live. At this point, the plants have access to ground water, and intentionally stressing them by withholding water can encourage their final fruits to ripen before winter.
How often should you water tomatoes in hot weather?
In hot weather, tomatoes will need more water. You may need to water them as frequently as twice per day. Watch your tomato plants during the longest and hottest days of the year and make sure their soil does not dry out.
How often should you water tomatoes with drip irrigation?
When using drip irrigation, aim to water at a rate of about one gallon per mature tomato plant per day. You may need to increase watering on longer, hotter days.
What are the signs of overwatering tomato plants?
The most visible signs of an overwatered tomato plant are its wilted, droopy appearance, yellow leaves and stems, bumps on leaves, leaf loss, cracked fruit, blossom end rot, and brown roots. Standing water at the base of your plants or mold on the soil surface are also indicators.
