30-03-2025
'Harmful' mistake many people make when watering tomatoes
Nothing quite compares to the flavour of succulent, homegrown tomatoes, which also happen to be more economical than their store-bought counterparts.
However, many aspiring gardeners fall into a common trap when nurturing their burgeoning tomato plants.
The green-fingered gurus at Haxnicks have issued a caution: "Tomato plants should not be over or under-watered.
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This is probably the hardest mistake to put right, especially if you are gardening on an allotment, so can't be there 24/7 to cater to your needy tomatoes."
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Those tending to their tomatoes in their own backyards may find it easier to manage, but inconsistent watering can still lead to disappointing results.
The team at Haxnicks further advised: "Both over and underwatering can cause fruit to split, which in turn can allow diseases to take hold."
Spotting a tomato plant that's been neglected isn't difficult. If it's underwatered, expect to see dry and brittle leaves; overwatered plants, on the other hand, will likely exhibit soft and soggy leaves or stems, reports the Express.
For those with a passion for cultivating tomatoes, remember the golden rule: "water slowly, water deeply" to achieve the most luscious fruits come summertime.
It's crucial for tomato growers to avoid drenching their plants. Instead, consider using a drip hose for gradual watering directly to the plants.
Moreover, it's wise to aim the water at the base of the plant to reach the roots rather than from above, preventing unnecessary saturation of the plant itself. The experts concluded, "Watering from above can spread disease and pests faster and waste water through evaporation."
For those who tend to neglect watering their plants, a solution to prevent dehydration is mulching around the tomato plants.
"Without it, plants' roots can rapidly dry out. Mulch also helps to regulate the soil temperature, keeping it constant despite the weather and keeps weeds at bay that would compete with the tomato plants", explained Haxnicks.
When deciding on the most suitable type of mulch, a layer of straw, shredded leaves, or compost about 5-10cm (two to four inches) thick should provide adequate insulation for the plants.
According to the gardening gurus at Plantura, "tomatoes with mulch grow better and are often healthier because the soil underneath is under less strain".
Mulching proves beneficial throughout the growing season, but the initial mulching for tomatoes is ideally done as early as March or April.
This assists in maintaining the soil's warmth and readies it for the frost-sensitive roots of the tomatoes. By May, nutrients are then easily accessible for the tomato plants.
Once the tomatoes have been moved to their garden bed or pots from indoor containers, the Plantura team suggests adding a bit more plant material to the mulch layer so that the soil remains lightly covered.
