Splitting and cracking fruit is common when we have rapid changes in soil moisture. Heavy summer rains that follow dry spells create the conditions for this problem. It is best to harvest fruit to ripen off of the vine, do not consume these fruits if you see leaking from the split or smell a foul odor.

Brown zipper-like scars sometimes appear on tomatoes. This disorder happens when the flower anther sticks to the developing fruit as it grows. Some varieties are more prone to zippering than others. Open holes and multiple scars are not uncommon to find with this disorder. The affected fruit is fine to consume.

This spring we trained Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers on tomato disease diagnostics. As warm wet weather sets in it is paramount for gardeners to correctly identify diseases on their plants so that they are able to take the appropriate actions. Our trained volunteers and Extension staff are equipped to utilize specific test kits to help discern what issues you may be encountering this summer. Plant clinics have been established to run in conjunction with monthly library programs for disease diagnostics. Outside of these times samples can be brought to our office location open Mon-Fri 8:00am- 5:00pm in Dallas. While we have emphasised tomato diagnostics this year our staff and volunteers are trained to assist gardeners in diagnosing issues beyond tomatoes.

May 30th: 12:00pm-2:00pm

June 27th: 12:00pm-2:00pm

July 25th: 12:00pm-2:00pm

August 22nd: 12:00pm-2:00pm

September 26th: 12:00pm-2:00pm

October 31st: 12:00pm-2:00pm

• Bacterial Spot (Xanthomonas)
• Bacterial Speck (Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato)
• Bacterial Wilt of Tomato (Ralstonia solanacearum)
• Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (Orthotospovirus tomatomaculae)