Q Why did my tomatoes have tough skins?
Sally Sheeran, by email
A CHRISTINE SAYS There are three reasons that can cause tomatoes to develop tough skin. In high temperatures, tomatoes develop thicker skin to prevent damage from the strong sun. Shading the plants during the hottest part of the day will help prevent this problem. Underwatering also encourages the fruit to form a thicker skin in an attempt to conserve water. Water regularly in hot, dry conditions, but remember that if the roots get too dry and then you water, the fruits may split – even those with thick skins. The third reason may be your choice of variety. Tomato varieties bred for drying or canning tend to have thicker skins, and some others, such as ‘Roma’ and plum types, naturally have tougher skins. Look through plant catalogues for thin-skinned varieties such as ‘Sungold’ and see if they fare better in your conditions.