Tomato - tough skins

[Jesse]

I've been picking my outdoor toms for a few weeks now but have found the skins quite tough. The varieties are golden sunrise, roma, outdoor girl. The tomatoes in the conservatory are lovely and no tough skins. What would cause this? We're on a hosepipe ban and have had no rain for weeks so I've not been able to water the outdoor ones as much as I'd like to, would that effect the skins?

[Jesse]

[Charlotte Sometimes]

Hiya

Yes, I think you've answered your own question.  I had tough skins last year - does seem to be related to water, or lack of.

Watch out for the reverse problem - start watering them more, then the skins all split!  The answer is to gradually water more, I guess.

HTH, good luck with your toms!  :)

[jennym]

Roma always has tough skins I'm told. Its a plum, for cooking.

[Jesse]

Thanks for your replies, I thought the watering may have something to do with it. I've been using them all for cooking, made some delicious tomato ketchup the other day.