By Trish Svoboda

Home gardeners often encounter tomato cracking, which appears as hard cracks on the upper part of the fruit, typically radiating from or around the stem. While these cracks do not necessarily spoil the tomato, they are unsightly, according to Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini.

Tomatoes have a dense and fibrous root system that efficiently absorbs water, said Domenghini. However, this root system can become unbalanced with the top of the plant. Early-season cracking is likely related to the top growth of the tomato, which can lead to blossom-end rot during hot and dry weather. Later in the season, cracking may occur due to a sudden abundance of water after a prolonged dry spell.

To prevent cracking, Domenghini suggests consistent watering and mulching. Scheduled watering prevents a rapid influx of water that can cause cracking, while mulching helps maintain consistent moisture levels in the soil.

Even with these precautions, some gardeners may still experience tomato cracking. Faculty in K-State’s Department of Horticulture have evaluated different tomato varieties over several years to identify the most crack-resistant types. The key seems to be the pliability of the skin rather than its thickness. The old variety Jet Star has proven to be the most crack-resistant of those tested, including newer types. However, Jet Star tends to have rampant, uncontrolled growth. Among newer varieties, Mountain Spring, Mountain Pride, Mountain Fresh, Floralina, and Sun Leaper have shown good resistance to cracking.