How to prevent your tomatoes from splitting

Do your tomatoes split just as they’re becoming ripe enough to eat? Tomato splitting occurs because of fluctuations in how much water the plants receive. If there’s a heavy rainstorm right after a dry spell, the insides of the tomatoes start to expand more rapidly than the fragile outer skin can handle.

Here are a few ways to prevent your tomatoes from splitting this summer:

• Use mulch. Applying mulch around the base of your tomato plants helps with maintaining regular soil moisture levels. You can use straw, pine needles, shredded bark or a store-bought blend.

• Water regularly. Water your tomatoes at regular intervals, making sure to provide them with about one to two inches of water each week. Watering them regularly helps prevent them from absorbing too much liquid following a heavy rainstorm.

• Choose resistant varieties. Some hybrid tomato plants are bred to have tougher skins on the fruit. Ask at a nursery or gardening store about varieties most resistant to cracking.

For more tips on how to grow high-quality tomatoes, visit your local garden center.