Should I water the leaves of my tomato plants?

QUESTION: Should I water the leaves of my tomato plants?

ANSWER: Do not water the leaves of your tomato plants, and be especially careful to avoid splashing water droplets onto their foliage when the sun is hot. Instead, water your tomato plants at the base, in a circle around the stem of the plant. If water gets onto the leaves of your plants when it’s the hottest part of the day, the sun can heat the water until it burns and damages your plants.

On the other hand, getting the foliage wet during cooler times of day could contribute to fungal disease. That’s why we recommend only watering the base of your plants, and by watering around the stem instead of directly on it, you encourage the expansion of your tomato plants’ root systems.