What It Means If You See These Holes in Tomatoes
Oh, my dear friend, I know exactly that moment of heartbreak when you walk out into your garden, reach for a beautiful, sun-warmed tomato, and notice a mysterious hole in its side. It is so easy to feel a flutter of frustration or worry that your entire harvest might be ruined!
At 73, living out here on my cozy farmhouse, tending to my garden is one of my greatest joys. But between keeping a watchful eye on my circulation, monitoring those sudden, unexplained purple blotches on my arms, and doing everything I can to stay proactive about my wellness, I know one thing for certain: letting garden pests spike our stress is the absolute last thing our bodies need.
So, I put the kettle on, brewed a soothing cup of my favorite chamomile tea, and looked into the actual “garden science” behind those mysterious holes.
Grab your favorite wide-brimmed hat, and let’s separate the panic from the practical facts so you can harvest your tomatoes with absolute confidence and peace of mind!
The “Garden Science” Reality: What Causes Those Holes?
First, take a deep breath. A hole in a tomato does not mean the whole plant is doomed, and it certainly doesn’t mean you’ve failed as a gardener! Here is the beautiful, practical truth behind some of the most common culprits:
The Tomato Fruitworm
These are small caterpillars—the larvae of moths—that love to bore neat, round holes into the fruit, often near the stem. They may eat some of the inside of the tomato, but they rarely ruin the entire fruit.
The Tomato Hornworm
These are the large, thick, green pests that can feast on both the leaves and the fruit, leaving behind larger, more irregular holes and tiny green droppings.
Wildlife Visitors
