3 Things That Are Causing The Tomatoes In Your Garden To Have Thick Skin

You might not think about the skin of your tomatoes as a huge determinant of success in your garden. But if you bite into your homegrown tomatoes and find the skin tougher than you expected, there are a few reasons why this could be happening. While some tomatoes simply have thicker skin due to genetic factors, others may develop the same type of exterior due to extremely high temperatures or underwatering, both of which can easily be resolved. If you prefer a thinner skin, there are ways to switch up your tomato care routine to ensure you still get that delicious first bite.

While some people may prefer a thinner skin when it comes to cooking with tomatoes or serving them raw in sandwiches and appetizers, a tough tomato has its uses. Depending on what you are using your tomatoes for, a thicker skin might actually be preferable. If you're planning on canning or drying your tomatoes, a thicker skin is typically recommended, as it is easier to remove and is more resistant to damage.

While some tomatoes are known for their thin skin, like delicate globe tomatoes, others have tougher skins for specific reasons. Hearty types, like plum and Roma tomatoes, are bred to have tough skin so they hold up better to canning and preserving, so you may just want to switch them out for another variety if you dislike the tough exterior. While they're great for canning, they may not be your favorite type to eat raw. 

If you want fruits with softer skin, opt for slicing tomatoes, which are bred to eat raw. When it comes to planting smaller fruits, the grape variety is typically a bit tougher than cherry tomatoes, so keep that in mind when choosing your seeds. There are thousands of varieties of heirloom tomatoes, so for these, the skin texture can vary, but typically, heirlooms have skin on the thinner side. Growing your favorite type of tomato may take some trial and error, but the work will be so worth it.

One of the most common reasons for tough tomato skins is high heat. Ideally, tomato plants are in sunny but mild environments where the daily temperature is between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Since this range of temperature is not always realistic, and you may live in an area where this range is impossible to maintain, it's important to regulate the temperature yourself as best you can. 

This can mean shading your tomato plants yourself when it's hot and sunny outside. This can be as easy as covering your tomatoes with a DIY shade using something as simple as a sheet, window screen, or newspaper during the hottest, sunniest hours of the day. While covering your tomatoes will not only help keep their skin on the thinner side, it will also reduce their risk of unwanted skin issues like sunburn or sunscald, which can not only negatively affect the skin but will ultimately ruin the fruit. 

If you find that your tomatoes are growing with thicker skins than usual, it may be an issue of watering. When tomatoes are not getting enough moisture, they tend to grow these tougher exteriors as a defense mechanism in order to keep in what water they do have. Ideally, your tomato plant seedlings are receiving one to two inches of water per week. 

To ensure they are getting the proper amount, be mindful of regularly checking the soil's moisture level. This can be done by hand by simply inspecting the soil with your finger to check if it's dry or by purchasing a soil moisture meter. It's also important to note that too much water can be an issue. Overwatering your tomatoes can increase fruits' risk of cracking, which will most likely decrease the quality as well as your harvest. As long as your tomatoes' soil is well-drained and kept consistently moist, your plants should grow properly.