What Causes Holes in Tomatoes? The Surprising Truth Revealed

To be honest, have you ever been in your garden or at the bottom of your grocery bag and picked out what seemed like a really plump and juicy tomato? But then, suddenly—there it is! A hole.

It was just sitting there like it owned the place. I’m not sure about you, but my first instinct when I see it is to shiver a little and whisper, “What exactly are you?”

Let’s take a moment to comprehend this riddle before we toss that sad tomato into the compost pile and turn away in a dramatic (guilty) manner. In spite of their awful appearance, tomato holes are really rather frequent, .

and there are interesting and reversible causes for them. You’ve probably seen this problem more times than you’d like if you raise your own plants.

Let’s examine the causes of this, the implications for your priceless tomatoes, and the steps you may take to avoid it altogether.

The Crucial Question: What Specifically Leads to Tomato Holes?

First things first: something bit, punctured, or munched on your tomato. It was not a random occurrence. Usually, one of three offenders is at fault:

1. Insects: The Microscopic Intruders+

The top suspect is this one. As if your garden were an unlimited buffet, a variety of insects feast on tomatoes. The following are a few of the worst offenders:

Fruitworms on tomatoes

Hornworms

Bugs that stink

Insects

These bugs leave a mess behind and may even harm the fruit’s inside by chewing or boring holes in tomatoes. Sometimes the tomato looks good on the outside—until you cut it open and find something unpleasant within.

I eventually succeeded in growing robust tomato plants one year. While watering them one morning, I noticed a huge green hornworm perched arrogantly on a stem, perhaps paying rent.

He had made himself at home by burrowing into a tomato in addition to eating some leaves. The nerve! This sight is both shocking and infuriating, as most gardeners who have seen it would agree.

2. Squirrels and Birds: The Nibblers Who Seize Opportunities

You may think birds and squirrels are cute until they start destroying your crops. However, they become unrelenting if they taste tomatoes. After a few nibbles here and a few pecks there, your tomato appears to have been used for target practice.

Ripe, red fruit is highly appealing to birds, especially during dry spells when they are looking for water. A bird is probably to fault if you see tiny peck marks close to the top of your tomato and the rest of the fruit is undamaged. But what if you lose half of your tomato? That is a squirrel’s job.

3. The Quiet Destroyers: Bacterial or Fungal Infections

Occasionally, the offender isn’t even an animal or bug. Tomato holes can also be caused by bacterial and fungal illnesses. Typical illnesses include:

Blossom End Rot: This causes a black, sunken lesion at the tomato’s bottom, but it isn’t really a hole.

Bacterial Spot: These are tiny, black patches that have the potential to eventually develop into holes.

Early Blight: This causes the tomato to develop weak patches that may later result in open wounds.

In contrast to bugs, a disease may be the cause of your tomatoes’ holes if they exhibit rotting or discolouration.

How to Keep Your Tomatoes Free of Holes

After identifying the primary offenders, let’s talk about how to prevent them from transforming your tomatoes into Swiss cheese.

1. Prevent Insect Damage

Use Row Covers: Plants can be shielded from moths and beetles by using lightweight garden cloth.

Handpick Pests: If you see hornworms, take them out by hand (or, if you’re feeling squeamish, with gloves).

Use Natural Insecticides: Insecticidal soap or neem oil can repel pests without endangering beneficial insects.

2. Keep Squirrels and Birds Away

Use bird netting to construct a barrier that prevents birds from entering.

Offer a Water Source: By keeping birds hydrated, a birdbath helps reduce the likelihood that they will peck at your tomatoes.

Try Fake Predators: You can frighten off birds and small rodents by using reflective tape or plastic owls.

Harvest Early: When tomatoes start to ripen, pick them and allow them to finish ripening indoors.

3. Avoid Bacterial and Fungal Illnesses

Keep Leaves Dry: To prevent disease-causing moisture, water the base of the plant rather than the top.

Crop Rotation: Don’t plant tomatoes in the same area every year.

Use Disease-Resistant Types: Certain tomato cultivars are bred to withstand common bacterial and fungal illnesses.

Pruning should be done sparingly to improve airflow and lower humidity levels around plants.

Can a Tomato with a Hole Still Be Eaten?

You can cut around the hole and utilise the remaining tomato if it’s small and there are no indications of rot, mould, or insect activity within. Nonetheless, it is advisable to dispose of the hole if it is big, discoloured, or contains worms (yuck!).

In conclusion

It can be annoying when tomatoes have holes, but you can avoid them if you know what causes them. Every issue, be it sickness, birds, squirrels, or pests, has a solution. You may have a healthy and pest-free tomato harvest by keeping an eye out for pests, safeguarding your plants, and practicing proper gardening.

Therefore, don’t freak out the next time you discover a hole in your tomato; instead, put on your detective hat, figure out who did it, and take appropriate action. Your tomatoes of the future will appreciate it!