How much water should outdoor tomato plants get per day?

I have a few outdoor tomato plants, early girl, supersseet100, and camp joy varieties. I have a drip irrigation system that I run for about 60 minutes each day (30 minutes twice). How much water should these plants get? They're about 3' tall and are bearing fruit (er, vegetables).

How much water should outdoor tomato plants get per day?
about a gallon spaced out every 4 hours
Reply:You are doing fine.


Make sure the first cycle is set early in the morning and the last cycle set for late evening.


Avoid watering in the middle of the day during high temps.


Dont water on rainy days.


Keep in mind that too much moisture will grow more foliage and less fruits.


Little stress is helpful.


Have fun and watch the plants, they will tell you when too much or too little water.
Reply:If you start out watering tomato plants on a regular basis you will have to keep it up that way. I lived in a remote area (farm fields to swamps) and even in the suburbs. I learned tips from locals where ever I lived. The same rule of thumb still applies, as far as watering, tomato plants just get use to it. You, with out realizing it. Have trained your plants to depend on water the way you did. Next year, try watering you tomato plants in the evening(so they don't burn). And spread out the watering cycle(s).





Read Farmers Almanac . It's a great source of information
Reply:That is fine. Tomatoes aren't picky when it comes to water. They like to be watered evenly though. You did not specify where you are located also. If you are in a hot, humid place, you wouldnt have to water much. I am in DRY ARID, CAlifornia. Transpiration is at such a fast rate here, I need to water 3 times a day(Heavy in the morning, heavy in the evening, and a light mist during the day.)





Anything that is bearing fruit(tomato is a fruit, so is a pepper, cucumber, apple, pumpkin...radish is not, lettuce is not, potatos are not.....get the pattern.)
Reply:Do not water every day!





A plant needs the wet/ dry cycle for proper root health. That being said, tomatoes are vigorous feeders and once esablished will use a lot of water in hot weather.





Best advice is to water thoroughly to approximate two inches of rain, and then don't water it again until it shows some slight wilting.