[salmonking]

 hi all,last year I had a problem with my tomatoe's.when they were ripe the skins were very though on them.put it down to experience  .now,ive just picked my first toms of the year and ive got the same problems.last year I grew mostly money maker but,this year due to the problems I had I have grown lots of different verieties.any ideas?

[8doubles]

It's called roughage and is meant to be good for the digestive system !

I know what you mean, some of my best tasting toms (sungold) had rhino skins !

On the plus side a tough skin is easier to peel !

[Headgardener22]

There are three reasons why your tomatoes could have tough skins.

1. Variety - Moneymaker don't split easily and therefore have tougher skins
2. Too hot - if your greenhouse has got too hot, the tomato develops thick skins
3. Too little water - if you've underwatered, they could have thick skins

If grown outdoors they will have thicker skins because they are more affected by the weather.

To be honest, its most likely the variety but if you like them grow them. Thin skinned varieties are more likely to split so you pays your money and takes your choice.

[beesrus]

Outside of variety, my experience suggests thicker skins result from fruits taking too long to swell and ripen. As above, that means the normal unfavourable growing conditions. Some later limping fruits in the Autumn can be particularly tough.

[salmonking]

I think after the replies it could well be the greenhouse is too hot.they have plenty of water and as for varieties,i have lots of different ones.thanks for replies.

[azubah]

I noticed that last year. I was pleased that the skins did not split, but they were a bit chewy. Perhaps it was the weather conditions.

[mumofstig]

Plum tomatoes usually have thick skins, I find...........but my favourite salad tomato, Black Cherry, goes to the other extreme and splits as soon as you look at it 

[JayG]

I find it very difficult to stop Sungold splitting, although last year a friend of mine reckoned the skins were a bit tough - you just can't win sometimes, can you?   

They are delicious though and I don't really notice the skins unless they're really tough (chew, taste and swallow - that's what your 30-odd feet of alimentary canal is there to sort out for you!  )