Looking for the best way to water your tomato plants this summer during all of this hot, muggy weather?

For many parts of the country, the summer has been over the top hot! And although tomato plants love warm weather, too much heat can cause problems. When the summer sun beats down day after day, the soil dries out faster, and the plants begin to suffer. Leaves can wilt, blossoms may fall off, and the fruit may stop growing.

This, of course, is exactly why knowing how to water your tomato plants the right way during hot weather is so important. Tomatoes are made up of over 90% water. And unfortunately, without a steady supply of moisture, the plants simply can’t grow strong or produce good fruit.

But here’s the tricky part – watering too much or too little can both lead to problems. Which is exactly why having a smart and steady watering routine is the key to success during hot spells!

The Best Way To Water Tomato Plants When It’s Hot

The Biggest Mistake When Watering – Shallow, Daily Watering

One of the most common mistakes gardeners make in the summer is watering tomato plants too often, but not deeply enough. A little water each day might seem like it helps, but it really only wets the top layer of soil. That shallow moisture dries out quickly in the heat and does little to help the roots.

Tomato plants need deep watering so the moisture can soak down into the soil where the roots grow. When roots stay shallow due to light watering, they become more exposed to heat and dry conditions. But when you water deeply, roots grow down into the soil, which helps the plant stay hydrated longer.

Water Tomato Plants Less Often – But Deeper When It’s Hot

The best way to water tomato plants during hot weather is to water less often, but with more water each time. This encourages the roots to grow deep and strong, which helps the plant find moisture during dry days.

Here’s a great rule of thumb when hot weather arrives – water your tomato plants deeply every 4 to 5 days. In extremely hot spells – as when it’s over 90°F for several days in a row, you may need to water every 2 to 3 days. But still, it’s better to give a good, deep soak than a little water each day.

So what exactly is it to water deep? A deep watering means letting the water soak the soil at least 6 inches down. That usually takes about one to two gallons of water per plant each time, depending on your soil and how dry it is.

This is where using an inexpensive soil moisture meter can be a huge help. You can simply stick the long probe down in the soil and get an instant reading of the moisture down deep. And – know exactly if you need to water or not! Affiliate Link: XLUX Long Probe Deep Use Soil Moisture Meter

Watch For Signs Of Overwatering Or Underwatering

It’s important to pay attention to your tomato plants. They will show signs if they are not getting the right amount of water.

If you see wilting leaves during the morning or mid-day, it might be a sign of underwatering – especially if the soil is dry several inches down. But if leaves are wilting in the evening or overnight, and the soil is wet, you may be watering too much.

Other signs of overwatering include yellowing leaves, mushy stems, and cracked fruit. On the other hand, underwatering can lead to dry, curled leaves and fruit that doesn’t grow or ripen. Again, this is where a moisture meter can really pay off!

Always Water At The Base – Not Over The Top

To keep tomato plants healthy, it’s best to water right at the base of the plant, near the soil. Avoid spraying water over the leaves or stems. Water on the leaves can lead to disease, especially in hot and humid conditions.

Using a soaker hose or a watering wand that directs water to the base works well. Drip irrigation systems are even better, as they deliver water slowly and evenly right where it’s needed. If you’re using a watering can or hose, always aim for the soil to avoid splashing the plant.

Water Tomato Plants In The Morning

When you water your tomato plants matters just as much as how you water them. Especially when it is hot! The best time to water is early in the morning – just after the sun comes up.

Watering in the morning gives the plants time to soak up moisture before the heat of the day sets in. It also gives the leaves time to dry off, which helps prevent disease. Watering in the evening is not a good idea because the cooler, wet conditions overnight can encourage mold, mildew, and other issues.

And the afternoon? Watering in the afternoon usually results in much of the water evaporating. The water droplets can also burn the leaves as the sun hits the plant. If you absolutely have to water later in the day, do it in the early afternoon, and try to water just the soil – not the leaves.

One thing is for sure, mulch is a big key to helping tomato plants when it’s hot. In hot weather, mulch can make a huge difference in keeping tomato roots moist and cool. It also helps prevent weeds, which compete with tomatoes for water. Straw, shredded leaves and grass clippings all make great mulch for tomato plants.

It’s important to note that tomatoes growing in containers will need a little different care in the heat. Potted plants dry out much faster than those growing in the ground. In hot weather, you may need to water container tomatoes every day or every other day. Especially if the pot is small.

No matter how you grow your tomatoes, they will also need to be fertilized. During hot summer weather, tomato plants are growing fast – and that means they’re using up nutrients just as quickly as water. To help your plants stay strong and productive, it’s best to fertilize with a liquid approach.

Choose a fertilizer with lower nitrogen and higher phosphorus and potassium. Nitrogen causes leafy growth, but too much will slow fruit production. Phosphorus and potassium help with blooms and fruit – which is exactly what you want in the summer.

Always mix liquid fertilizer at half the normal strength. This will allow you to apply it more often every seven to ten days while watering. This light feeding keeps plants energized and reduces stress in hot weather without overfeeding.

Here is to knowing how to water your tomato plants when it’s hot outside – and to keeping your plants on target for a great harvest!

Happy Gardening – Jim & Mary

Old World Garden Farms

Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to travel in their spare time.

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