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I'm not exactly a new gardener, but it has been a LOOOONG time since I had this happen last and I can't seem to remember the reason from before. This year my tomatoes all seem to have thicker (and tougher) skins. The last time this happened, I seem to remember it being due to not enough water. But, I am looking for a confirmation.
If it makes any difference, I am currently growing Romas and "Sweet 100" cherry tomatoes.
Bill Griffin
Even Ham Radio operators love organic food. Especially here in SW lower MI.
Posts: 1615 | Location: Edwardsburg, MI Zone 5/6 | Registered: December 08, 2004
I find this usually happens later in the season when the weather starts to cool. Could be nature's way of protecting the inside of the tomato by giving it a tougher skin? I don't know--only a guess and it makes sense to me!! :O
---------------------------------------- Everything that blooms and grows, the garden angel scatters and sows...in the land of corn and pigs...gardensandquiltsatyahoodotcom
Posts: 2469 | Location: Zone 4-5, North Central Iowa | Registered: April 12, 2002
Yes, I know of the tough tomato skins being caused by not enough water. The tomato develops a thicker casing to reduce evaporation/water loss in high heat situations. Some varieties do this more so than others, and especially prevalent in cherry and early type tomatoes for some reason. Kind of a catch-22 situation, isn't it? Not enough H2O and you get tough skins, too much and they split. I find that a really thick mulch helps in moderating the moisture, though.
