Watering Tomato Plants For Best Results

Recycling Water
The chemicals and bleach in gray-water hinders the
ability of plants to soak in nutrition and may contaminate the water
table as well.
Water-Conserving Devises
Garden centers sell all sorts of water-conserving devices for use when vegetable gardening.
However, you can make your own.
Soaker or seep hoses are a good option, especially in beds of
vegetables.
Pierce a length of hose with tiny pinprick holes along its
length and lay it among your plants, attaching one end to the faucet.
Soaker hoses work best in short lengths.
Drip Systems for Watering Tomatoes
Installing a drip system to water your vegetable garden plants is a
great way to go.
Drip systems conserve water, and offer a slow steady
supply of water to the tomato plant without disturbing the plant root
system.
It is actually very easy to install a drip system, so don't be
overwhelmed by the idea!
Adding a timer to the drip system will allow
you to water your garden automatically at the same time each day, or
every other day as desired.
Add Mulch to Conserve Water
Adding a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch to the topsoil of your garden
will help prevent the soil from drying too quickly through evaporation.
Mulching also is an effective way of adding slow-release fertilizer or
nutrients to your garden plants each time you water.
How Much Water is Enough?
In general, most vegetable garden plants, including tomato plants,
require about 1" of water per week.
During especially hot dry weather,
or if you haven't added a layer of mulch to prevent evaporation, it may
be necessary to water an extra half-inch per week.
Many expert gardeners
greatly reduce the amount of water to their tomatoes
after the plants have reached maturity and have set fruit.
The idea
behind this is that stressing the plants a bit encourages fruit to
develop more quickly.
I think this technique is helpful, but is not
absolutely necessary if it is not convenient for you to do this.
How to Water Tomatoes While You're on Vacation
Again, installing a drip watering system on a timer is the best way to
ensure regular and adequate water for your vegetable garden.
If you
don't have a drip system, there are several other workable, but less
convenient ways to do this.
If you cannot find a neighbor to entrust with watering your tomato plants while you are away for a few days, help your precious tomato plants by mulching well and covering the plants with straw for insulation.
Place container-grown tomato plants in buckets or trays of shallow water until your return.
Enlivened Water
Some bio-dynamic gardeners follow an ancient practice of enlivening the
water for their gardens.
They take a tub of rainwater and stir it with a
wooden spoon clockwise for 40 turns.
This method is justified by modern
science because water that goes through a spiraling shape picks up
energy.
Watering tomato plants with water that is energized promotes healthier growth.