I have grown some Tumbling Toms this year and it is the first time I have grown tomatoes.

The skins on some have been a little thick and chewy (an unpleasant surprise). The two I picked as samples a little while back were sweet and thin skinned.

Having looked for answers on Yahoo, here and a few gardening sites (including 'allottmentsforall') I am unsure as to what it the cause of this.

Various suggestions on the web: Hot weather, feeding and type of tomato.

I would be grateful if anyone could offer an answer or advice.

Thanks very much

Lorien

Did the tougher skinned ones grow more slowly than the thinner ones? That'd be my guess.

Either that or something stressed the plant so it felt it needed to grow thicker skin on the tomatoes to protect them.


Personally I don't care too much either way. I'll eat them with or without the skins, thick or thin. If it was really thick, skin them and use them for salsa or sauce. Nothing beats home-made.

Thick skins are usually caused by irregular watering/ excessive temperatures. The skin will split and the fruit will begin to rot if you increase watering now.

Next year, try and keep the humidity up around the plants, and it is essential you do not allow the roots to dry out once the fruits begin to form - the quicker the tomatoes grow, the better the flavour and the thinner the skin.