How Much Should You Water Tomato Plants Each Day?



Tomato plants thrive in full sunlight in humus-rich, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Although tomato plants can tolerate slightly dry soil, they perform best when the soil stays evenly moist, as irregular watering can cause blossom-end rot and cat-facing in tomatoes. Knowing exactly how much water they require can be a challenge, however by following simple guidelines it is possible to provide your tomato plants with the right amount of water.

Seedlings

Determine the amount of water your seedlings require by following their lead. Initially they may require as little as 1/4 cup of water, but as they grow bigger, their water needs growth. Watering them till water runs freely through the bottom of the bud and checking them through the day give you a good indication of the amount of water they want. Typically, if the ground dries in less than 24 hours, then your tomato plants require either more water or transplanting to a bigger pot.

Tomatoes in Containers

Full-grown tomatoes grown in containers often require daily watering. The precise amount required may vary from a quart to a gallon or more, depending on the rate of increase, weather conditions and the pot size. As a rule, watering your tomatoes until water runs freely through the bottom of the pot and again whenever the soil feels dry to the touch 1 inch below the surface supplies them with the water they should thrive.

Tomatoes in the Soil

Since tomatoes grown in the soil can send their roots deep into the soil once the surface soil dries, they often require less frequent watering than tomatoes grown in containers. However, deep watering to moisten the soil to the root level one or two times weekly is preferred to everyday light watering. Wetting the surface of the ground without saturating the ground in the main level promotes tomato plants to form roots near the surface of the soil, compromising the help system of this plant. As a rule, tomato plants require 1 to 2 inches of water a week.

Factors

Weather conditions, plant size and growth rate, along with the soil that the tomato plant is grown in all affect the amount of water the tomato plant requirements. Your plants require more water during hot, dry spells and periods of active development than they do during wet weather or when the plants are young. How well the soil drains along with its own water-holding capability also have an effect on the amount of water they want. Observing your tomato plants during the day provides you important clues to their watering needs. Healthy tomato plants that wilt excessively or soil that feels dry to the touch indicate that water is needed.

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