Should I Cover My Tomato Plants When It Rains? A Comprehensive Guide

Tomatoes are one of the most beloved vegetables to grow in home gardens However, heavy rainfall can wreak havoc on tomato plants if left exposed. As a tomato gardener, you may be wondering, “Should I cover my tomato plants when it rains?” This comprehensive guide will provide key insights to help you make the right decision for your plants

Why Rain Can Damage Tomato Plants

It’s important to know how rain hurts tomato plants before deciding whether to cover or not.

• Diseases: Wet foliage is a breeding ground for fungal diseases like early blight, late blight, leaf mold and botrytis. These can quickly spread in rainy conditions.

• Fruit cracking: Heavy rainfall can cause tomatoes to swell and crack open. Cracks allow disease organisms to enter and ruin the tomato.

• Bruising: Big raindrops pummel and bruise delicate fruit and foliage. Bruises damage ripening tomatoes and make them unsellable.

• Hard rain can wash away the topsoil, revealing the roots of plants. This affects the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients and water.

• Leaf loss: Driving rain strips away leaves and damages branches. Defoliation stresses plants and limits photosynthesis.

• Root rot happens when too much water keeps oxygen from getting to plant roots, which makes the roots rot. This inhibits nutrient uptake and makes plants vulnerable.

You can see that rain can really hurt your tomato plants. Protecting the plants keeps them healthy and productive.

Benefits of Covering Tomato Plants in Rain

Covering tomato plants when it rains provides multiple benefits:

• Prevents fungal diseases like early and late blight from taking hold

• Reduces fruit splitting, cracking and bruising during storms

• Protects foliage and branches from damage by driving rain

• Avoids soil erosion and runoff around plant bases

• Maintains optimal moisture levels in soil to prevent waterlogging

• Creates a barrier against driving wind that can batter plants

• Allows you to control rainwater exposure and avoid overwatering

By keeping plants dry during downpours, you’ll enjoy stronger, higher-yielding plants. Protecting tomatoes from excessive rain gives you greater control over plant health.

When to Cover Tomato Plants

The best time to cover tomato plants is before a heavy rain or thunderstorm arrives. This prevents the plants from getting pounded and soaked.

Monitor weather forecasts so you can plan ahead. If showers are predicted, get your covers or shelters in place early. It’s much easier to prevent damage rather than deal with the aftermath.

During light or intermittent rains, covers may not be necessary. But it’s better to err on the side of caution when heavy rains are expected.

In damp climates, having covers ready to go is advised. Protecting plants from regular rainfall keeps diseases at bay over the long run.

How to Cover Tomato Plants in Rain

You have several options when it comes to covering your tomatoes in wet weather:

• Plastic sheeting or tarps: These waterproof covers are inexpensive and provide full protection. Use hooks, bricks or boards to secure the edges.

• Remay fabric row covers: This lightweight polyester lets in air and light while forming a rain barrier. The fabric diffuses pounding rain.

• Umbrellas: Use large patio umbrellas over container tomatoes to divert rain. Or place umbrellas upside down between rows in a garden.

• Cloches: These bell-shaped covers sit over individual plants, shielding them while allowing light and air flow.

• Cold frames: Enclose plants in bottomless cold frames covered with plastic sheeting or glass panes. Lift the lids for ventilation.

• Greenhouses: Full greenhouses keep plants bone dry and protect against cold temperatures as well.

Choose a cover that fits your space and budget. Even improvised covers like tarps or old shower curtains work in a pinch! The goal is to form a physical barrier.

Risks of Not Covering Plants in Rain

Now that you know the benefits of covering plants, consider the risks of leaving them exposed:

• High likelihood of diseases like early blight, late blight, leaf mold and fungal spot

• Increased fruit splitting, cracks and bruising

• Greater risk of branches breaking from driving rain

• More defoliation due to stripped leaves

• Higher soil erosion and nutrient leaching

• Potential root rot issues from waterlogged soil

• Stunted growth, lower yields and reduced fruit quality

Unprotected plants won’t reach their full potential. Why spend months caring for plants only to lose much of the harvest? Avoidable damage is disheartening.

Caring for Covered Plants

Follow these tips when your tomato plants are covered in wet weather:

• Check plants for pests like hornworms and aphids which thrive under covers

• Water carefully, as covered plants need less moisture. Let soil dry out between waterings.

• Ensure good air circulation under covers to prevent diseases – lift covers if humidity builds up

• Monitor for signs of disease like leaf spots and promptly remove affected foliage

• Support covered plants with stakes and cages to prevent branches breaking

• Remove covers as soon as the rain passes to avoid overheating plants on sunny days

With a little oversight, your covered tomatoes will thrive!

Alternative Protection Methods

If fully covering plants isn’t practical, consider these alternative protection strategies:

• Build raised beds to improve drainage and minimize puddling

• Use drip irrigation to carefully control water to plants’ roots

• Increase spacing between plants to encourage air circulation

• Stake and prune plants for better structure to shed rain

• Use fans to keep air moving under plant canopies

• Add organic mulch around plants to absorb excess moisture and prevent soil splashing

• Treat preventatively with fungicides to discourage disease (follow product instructions)

• Grow blight-resistant tomato varieties which tolerate rain better

A multi-pronged approach keeps plants healthier if full covers aren’t feasible. Even small changes make a difference.

During rainy spells, tomato plants are highly vulnerable to damage and disease. Covering your plants when heavy rain hits is strongly advised to protect your crop. Choose an appropriate cover like plastic sheeting, cloches or row cover fabric to act as a barrier. Keep plants protected until the rain passes, then remove covers promptly. A little effort up front prevents heartache later if your tomato crop is ravaged. Pay attention to the weather and don’t get caught off guard. With some sensible precautions, your treasured tomato plants will continue thriving through the storms!