Tomatoes are a simple plant to grow, which makes them a popular choice for gardeners. But every plant can encounter problems, and tomatoes are no exception. Knowing, and anticipating what problems growing tomatoes may encounter is the key to avoiding those issues and growing healthy, delicious fruit.

One of the major problems tomato gardeners commonly encounter is cracking. As they grow, irregular watering can cause them to crack or split. Watering regularly is crucial to helping the plants grow properly. Therefore, trying to make up for a dry spell or lack of watering by over-watering will cause problems such as cracking. After watering the plants, check the moisture level in the soil by putting your finger into the dirt. The soil should be moist, but not very wet or very dry. This indicates that the soil has the right level of water to keep the tomatoes healthy.

Tomatoes that crack can still be harvested and eaten. They will tend to rot more quickly, but that does not mean they need to be disposed of immediately. To prevent other tomatoes on the plant from cracking, closely monitor watering. Water the plant regularly, whether or not it rains, and mulch to keep moisture levels even. Additionally, some types of tomatoes, such as Jet Star, First Lady and Celebrity, are naturally resistant to cracking.

Another common tomato problem is the skin and meat turning black and soft as they ripen. This is called "blossom end rot" and could result from insufficient calcium in the soil. The disease frequently appears in tomatoes grown both in home gardens and commercially. Blossom end rot usually occurs when the tomatoes are still only a third to a half their full size. At first, a small spot appears on the tomato. But this darkens and spreads until it becomes black and leathery.

Moisture and nutrients can ward off blossom end rot. Again, regular and even watering as well as mulching is crucial. Temperature can also be a culprit in blossom end rot. Tomatoes grown in cold temperatures tend to develop the disease, so be sure to plant tomatoes in warm rather than cold soil. Fertilizers high in superphosphate but low in nitrogen can also help prevent blossom end rot.

Rotted tomatoes cannot be salvaged. Tomatoes with blossom end rot should be removed from the plant and discarded.
A third problem is "green shoulders," or a situation in which the stem end of the tomato does not ripen and remains green. This green or yellow area may be harder than the rest of the fruit.

Green shoulders result from too much sunlight on the plant. Though tomatoes do need a lot of sunlight and warmth to grow, too much sunlight can cause diseases. In the top of the tomato, near the steam, chlorophyll breaks down more slowly. This is what causes the green or yellowish color and prevents the fruit from ripening. Heirloom varieties of tomato are especially prone to this issue.

Luckily, tomatoes that don't ripen do not need to be discarded. Simply shading the plant may encourage it to ripen. If that does not work, then the green fruits may be harvested before they ripen and allowed to ripen off the plant away from the sun. If the plant still does not ripen, you can cut away the green part of the fruit and still eat the rest of the tomato!