A common problem with tomatoes is that their skin bursts open just before harvest. Read here why tomatoes burst and how you can prevent it.
Sometimes this problem is dependent on the variety (reading tip: Worth knowing about tomato varieties), but sometimes it is also dependent on the weather. Basically, you should always take a close look at burst tomatoes before eating them, because harmful bacteria can settle in the cracks and cause rot. Such tomatoes are then of course inedible. Otherwise, you can also put burst tomatoes to good use.
But first of all, what are the causes of bursting tomatoes and how you can prevent them from bursting.
Causes and tips against cracking tomatoes
» circular, shallow cracks:
Circular, shallow cracks in the tomato skin are mostly due to too much sun exposure. In such cases, too many leaves were often removed from the tomato plant. You can remedy this by shading the tomatoes a little during high heat. In this way, a so-called corking of the tomatoes can often be prevented.
» many small cracks:
Many small cracks are often the result of the tomatoes being too wet and then being exposed to direct heat far too quickly. If this was due to human watering, you need to be careful to only water the tomatoes early in the morning or late in the evening. It is important that you never water the tomatoes from above, but only water the stem of the plant.
Hint:
You can put up a canopy or a so-called tomato house to protect against summer rainstorms.
» straight deep cracks:
Especially deep cracks, which often end in a circle, are due to strong temperature fluctuations. The plants find protection under garden fleece, e.g. during cool night hours at the end of the tomato season.
Hint:
At the same time, you should only water the tomatoes a little if there are major temperature fluctuations.
» star-shaped cracks:
Star-shaped cracks often go strong with avarying nutrient supply (e.g. if you have fertilized the plant too much). Such cracks often occur if you water the tomatoes too irregularly. Tomatoes also react to prolonged periods of drought alternating with severe moisture by cracking the surface of their skin.
By the way:
Years of observations by specialist nurseries led to the conclusion that greenhouse tomatoes in particular are much less affected by cracking. This is primarily due to the prevailing, uniform climate conditions there.