Tomato plants generally need consistent watering to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Here are the key guidelines on how often to water tomatoes:
- In most cases, watering tomato plants once a day is sufficient, especially during warm weather. If it has rained recently, watering every other day may be enough. During very hot weather (above 90°F), you might need to water twice daily
- Tomato plants typically require about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, distributed over two to three watering sessions
. For mature plants, this usually amounts to about a gallon of water every five days
- Container-grown tomatoes dry out faster and often need watering twice a day to keep the soil moist
- Newly planted tomatoes should be watered daily for the first week to 10 days to establish roots, then watering can be reduced to three to four times per week
- Watering should be done slowly and deeply, ideally at the soil level rather than overhead, to avoid disease and water waste
- Mulching around tomato plants helps retain soil moisture and reduce evaporation, which can reduce watering frequency
- The best time to water tomatoes is early in the morning before the sun gets hot, to maximize absorption and minimize evaporation
In summary, water tomatoes daily or every other day depending on rainfall and temperature, aiming for about 1 to 1.5 inches of water weekly, adjusting frequency for container plants and hot weather. Always water deeply and at the soil level, and use mulch to help maintain moisture.
