It seems I have a crack problem.
What?
I mean my tomatoes have a crack problem.
This is the first year that I have tried Brandywine tomatoes. This may be the last year that I grow Brandywine tomatoes. So far all of them have cracked and rotted before they were even close to ripe. What did I do wrong?
I went online and tried to figure it out.
As far as I can figure, this type of thing happens with inconsistent water and inconsistent heat. So, for instance if there is a heat wave and the ground dries out and then you water it really well because, hey, it’s hot and the ground is dry, then the plant will have a growth spurt and evidently the skin doesn’t grow as fast as the rest of the tomato and it cracks.
The way to prevent this is to provide consistent moisture. Or you can always look for varieties that don’t have a tendency to crack.
Brandywine must have a cracking problem because while I was doing my research I kept coming across adds that said things like, ‘Our Brandywine tomatoes are crack-resistant.’
Maybe they’ve just been through rehab.
Funny! What we need to do is keep the Brandywines from getting that first crack to begin with. I hope you'll try them again next year as they are so good and tomato-y.
Carol at May Dreams Gardens
Posted by: Carol | October 03, 2007 at 07:38 PM
That's funny. My Brandywines don't crack at all, but I have a sprinkling system so they're getting watered on a regular schedule. This year I did have a problem with my Lemon Boy and Brandywine tomatoes cross-pollinating (I assume) and I had a bunch of orange tomatoes on the Brandywine plant. I do love the flavor of Brandywines though, so do try them again!
Posted by: Kalyn | October 03, 2007 at 07:59 PM
Carol,
None of my other tomatoes had crack so I don't know where they got it in the first place. I probably will try them again next year.
Kalyn,
I am trying to put a whole new veggie garden in by next year so maybe if I get it in on time I will try brandywines again.
Posted by: chigiy | October 03, 2007 at 08:12 PM
Who knew how far the 'crack' epidemic would spread? What's next? Zucchini methadone clinics? Your post gave me a much needed smile.
Posted by: Muum | October 04, 2007 at 04:26 AM
It is a very interesting crack design though!
Posted by: Curtis | October 04, 2007 at 07:09 AM
Here the main culprit of cracking tomatoes is lack of calcium in the soil. It happens all the time if you don't add calicium when planting. We use oystershell lime or dolomite. If one of our customers forget to apply the lime when planting and they get the cracking they can spray a liquid calcium product right on the plant and soil. Works most of the time.
Posted by: trey | October 04, 2007 at 07:26 AM
Chigiy, this is hilarious...and I am so jealous you thought of this entry before I did!
Posted by: Genie | October 04, 2007 at 08:31 AM
Muum,
Yah, you have to watch the amount of methadone you give zucchinis. They could become vegetables.
Curtis,
Actually the tomato is kind of pretty...in a weird sort of cracked way.
Trey,
Good advice. You're a handy guy to know. Thank you. I love your blog BTW.
Genie,
I thought of it. Will you let me know if someone steals it? Ha!
Posted by: chigiy | October 04, 2007 at 01:39 PM
Never mind the cracks, as long as it tastes good, that's all that matters. It helps btw to water regularly to prevent tomatoes from cracking up. ;-)
Posted by: Yolanda Elizabet | October 05, 2007 at 09:03 AM
Someone should engineer a tomato variety that is improved by cracking. Seems everywhere I go gardeners complain. Some mad scientist should get on this and turn this into a feature of tomatoes like collecting sap from Maples.
Posted by: MrBrownThumb | October 06, 2007 at 02:28 PM
Now if only they would crack along the seam lines to make it easier to prepare them ...
Um varieties ready to split along the vertical segments for salads, and ones ready for slices.
Wonder if we can make them preforated while we are at it.....
Posted by: Bare Bones Gardener | October 10, 2007 at 12:21 AM
try digging hole a few inches deeper than usual 3 to 8 inches. put in a pinch of lime and a teaspoon or table spoon of your fertiler (i use miracale grow).in bottom of hole place fertlier and lime. cover with dirt 3 to 8 inches .then plant tomatoe. like usual. i have not had a problem. GOOD LUCK/////
Posted by: mark kohl | August 03, 2010 at 02:22 PM
I experienced this type of crack problem first time..http://www.vivamagonline.com/index.php But i dint take much care in garden.. Your article and markohl had given me a good ides.. Glad to visit your blog..
Posted by: Best gardening | April 03, 2011 at 11:06 PM
Crack problem. I was a crack victum too but found what my problem was. "Inconsistant watering". I would allow the ground to get dry and the green tomatoes would begin to ripen, then I was giving the ground a really good long watering several days back to back. This burst of water to the roots promoted a sudden groth that the outer skin of the tomato was not ready for and caused the cracking. I resolved my issus by using a sprinkler on a timer that applied regular watering for the tomato's in my garden (40+ tomato plants). I hope this helps. Having balanced soil is critical as well for optimal growth
Posted by: Backyard Gardner | June 01, 2012 at 10:17 AM