Tomatoes are one of the best vegetables to grow in pots, but they can be a bit finicky. The plants need a lot of moisture and nutrients, but they don’t like to get too much water. So, how often do water tomatoes that are planted in pots?
Tomatoes that are grown in pots or containers should be watered at least once a day. During the warmer months of the year, you may need to water twice per day. It is important to look at the soil to see when it needs water. If the soil is dry, add some water to it.
When Is The Best Time To Water Tomatoes?
The best time to water tomatoes is early in the day when their leaves are dry. The warm sun will evaporate any excess moisture from the leaves, which helps prevent disease.
A tomato plant needs about 1 inch of water per week. Water deeply and less frequently; this encourages deep root growth and prevents shallow roots that can be damaged by freezing temperatures or windy conditions.
How to Tell It’s Time to Water Your Tomatoes
When you’re growing tomatoes, one of the most important things to do is water them. This can be tricky, as they don’t always need a lot of water. In fact, too much water can actually kill your plants.
If you’re not sure if your plants need water, there are a few signs that will let you know it’s time to water your tomatoes. Here are some of the most common signs:
- The leaves start to turn brown and curl up
- The stems start to wilt and droop down
- The soil feels dry on top (you can test this by sticking your finger about 2 inches into the soil)
How to Water Tomatoes In Pots
Tomatoes are a warm-weather crop, so you need to plant them early in the season and then harvest them over the summer. While you can grow tomatoes in the ground, many people prefer to grow them in pots. Here’s how to water tomatoes in pots:
Choose a pot that has at least one drainage hole in the bottom of it. If it doesn’t have one, cut one into the bottom of it before planting your tomato seedling. Choose soil that drains well and is light enough for your pot; don’t use garden soil or compost because they’re too heavy for pots.
Fill your pot with potting mix, then water it until it’s damp all the way through (no dry spots). Place your tomato seedling into the pot, making sure there isn’t any soil on top of its leaves or stem (roots will emerge from underneath). Water again until damp all the way through (no dry spots), then place your pot where it will get sun for most of the day.
To keep from overwatering your plants (which can cause root rot), place a saucer underneath them when watering so excess water can drain away from your plant roots instead of collecting in their containers. You should also check for pests regularly and spray them.
Signs of Excessive Tomatoes Watering
Tomatoes are heavy feeders. If you’re growing them in a container, you’ll need to water them often to keep the soil moist. Lack of water can cause the plant to drop blooms and leaves. You should water tomatoes once or twice daily when it’s hot, or at least once a day during warm weather.
The most common sign of excessive watering in tomatoes is a swollen base on the stem below the soil level. This means the plant has been watered too much and has begun to rot from the inside out. The stem may also split or break off near its base.
Another sign of excessive watering is wilting leaves on top of the plant; this happens when the roots cannot absorb enough water fast enough to keep up with production needs, which causes leaves to droop toward the ground.
Excessive watering causes fruit splitting, which occurs when the fruit develops cracks while still green and unripe, resulting in multiple tomatoes instead of one large tomato per plant. Fruit splitting also makes harvesting difficult because each individual fruit needs to be cut off from its stalk individually by hand with scissors or pruning shears (without damaging nearby fruits).
Final Thoughts
Tomatoes that are grown in pots will require watering more frequently than those that are grown in the ground. Depending on how warm it is, you may need to water once or twice per day. The best way to tell when the tomato plant needs watering is to simply look at the soil. If the soil is dry, give the plant some water.
