Have you ever picked a tomato and noticed a split or crack in the skin? It might look strange, but cracked tomatoes are very common in gardens. The good news is that a cracked tomato is usually still safe to eat!

Tomato plants absorb water through their roots. If a tomato plant goes through a dry period and then suddenly gets a lot of water from rain or watering, the fruit may grow faster than its skin can stretch. When this happens, the tomato’s skin can split and create a crack.

Some cracks are small and appear near the top of the tomato. Others can be larger and stretch down the sides of the fruit. Different tomato varieties may crack more easily than others, especially during changing weather conditions.

Gardeners try to prevent cracking by keeping soil moisture as steady as possible. Watering regularly can help tomatoes grow at a more even pace. Mulch can also help the soil hold moisture and reduce sudden changes in water levels.

Even though a cracked tomato may not look perfect, it often tastes just as delicious as any other tomato. Many gardeners simply harvest cracked tomatoes sooner and enjoy them fresh in salads, sandwiches, sauces, and other recipes.

Try It!

The next time you see a tomato, look closely at its skin. Is it perfectly smooth, or can you spot tiny lines, marks, or cracks?

Draw a picture of a tomato and imagine what might happen if it suddenly grew bigger overnight. Would the skin be able to stretch fast enough?