When you understand what tomatoes use water for, then it setting up a schedule for watering tomato plants makes sense. One of the most crucial parts of their care is knowing how much water do tomato plants need. Let’s take a look at how to properly water tomatoes.
Tomatoes are fast-growing, heavy-producing plants. They make a lot of food (sugars) in order to grow blossoms, develop fruit, and put out more branches. It takes a considerable amount of water to convert sunlight into energy for a tomato’s many branches and blossoms.
Here’s a quick review from high school biology class about what happens with water in a tomato plant. You can see why water is incredibly important to growing healthy tomatoes.
Tomatoes are fast-growing, heavy-producing plants. They make a lot of food (sugars) in order to grow blossoms, develop fruit, and put out more branches. It takes a considerable amount of water to convert sunlight into energy for a tomato’s many branches and blossoms.
Here’s a quick review from high school biology class about what happens with water in a tomato plant. You can see why water is incredibly important to growing healthy tomatoes.
- plants absorb water through their roots
- water finds it way up the plant to the leaves
- some water is used in the leaves to make food (sugars) for the plant. This process is called photosynthesis, and it’s responsible for converting sunlight into energy for your tomato.
- some water is released through the leaves to cool them. This process is called transpiration. It’s based on the same principle as perspiration in people.
It’s simple when you know when, where and how to water them.
- WHEN
Water regularly. Consistent watering produces stronger plants and larger fruit. In the height of summer, water 2-3 times a week. (Rainfall counts.) Later when temperatures cool, scale back to once a week.
- WHERE
Water at the soil line.You’ll help build your tomato’s root system. Avoid overhead watering, which spreads diseases.
- HOW
Water slowly. Let water sink into the ground to help plants develop strong root systems. When the soil surrounding your tomato plant is moistened 6-8” deep, you’ll know you’ve done your job well.
Tomato problems that arise with improper watering
- blossom-end rot: calcium imbalance caused by irregular watering: over watering followed by under-watering means calcium can’t be absorbed consistently into tomato
- cracks, splits in fruit: irregular watering, over watering after drought: leads tomato skins to expand, contract, and split
- small fruit, stunted growth, reduced production: irregular watering, under-watering: to stay cool, plants limit the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide through leaves, which slows growth
- susceptibility to tomato fungus: overhead watering or watering at night, which allows fungi to rest on the leaves
- tomato root rot, root loss: overwatering: soggy soil prevents roots from getting oxygen, light watering, sprinkling: roots reach to the surface in search of water
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