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Cracked tomatoes a result of prolonged heat
Radial and concentric cracks form when heat and soil moisture changes stress the fruit, but the tomatoes remain edible, specialists said.
- Celebrity tomatoes are cracking due to heat and moisture fluctuations this summer. Don Kinzler of NDSU Extension-Cass County notes that even crack-resistant varieties like Celebrity struggled with these environmental challenges.
- Soil that dries, even slightly, followed by watering or rainfall, forces the fruit's interior to expand faster than the skin. Prolonged heat compounds this moisture fluctuation, triggering the cracking.
- There are two patterns of tomato cracking caused by weather conditions. "Radial cracks" radiate outward from the stem, while "concentric" cracks circle the fruit's perimeter.
- Cracked tomatoes remain edible if the damaged portion is removed, though shelf life is typically reduced. Food preservation specialists recommend using only blemish-free fruits for canning and freezing.
- Tomato varieties differ in their resistance to cracking, which is usually indicated in the description when purchasing. Gardeners should check these details to select more resilient plants for future seasons.
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Cracked tomatoes a result of prolonged heat
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·Cherokee County, United States
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