Tomatoes need lots of water. You can still overwater your plants. Homegrown tomato growers often think watering is as simple as keeping the soil soaked all season.
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Simply put, water tomatoes only when needed. Determine that how? Soil testing around the plant. The soil around the plant should be moist to 6"–8".
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Plants need moist soil to grow roots, so check it regularly. Maintaining damp ground is easier than hydrating dry ground. Start daily and take notes.
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Here comes science. Some university studies say most tomato plants need an inch of water per week. Some growers use scientific formulas to quantify this water in gallons.
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Now the tricky part. You can't give that much water in one day. This causes standing water and runoff, which harms plants. You hope to get some rain some weeks.
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You'll learn best from experience. Be mindful of moisture maintenance. Take good notes. Those notes should be useful year-round in the same climate.
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This part of tomato watering is simple. Morning is the best time to water tomatoes. This allows any moisture on the leaves to dry before the day's heat, preventing diseases and plant burning.
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You must efficiently use the water you administer. Too much standing water and moisture on plants causes many issues. Watering early in the morning creates an efficient routine that supports the plant's biological functions.
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Watering tomato plants properly is also crucial. Always water the stem, not the leaves or flowers. Water on leaves is disastrous.
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Water must reach plant roots. It works better when watered around the stem. This requires a hose. A sprinkler will overwater the plant.