How much daily water required for tomatoes?

nickel plate · May 20, 2021

I've looked up this topic on line and have found only information about "inches of water" which doesn't really apply to my type of irrigation.
I'm using landscape cloth with 4" holes and covered with mulch.
Drip irrigation is on a timer.
Drip heads are the green flag type, occasional pull the flag off to clean out the line (well water) put the flag back in when done.
I ran a one dripper ten minute test which produced 2-1/2 quarts of water which works out to 3-3/4 gallons per hour.
18 Beefsteak varieties and 12 Early Girls. Plants are starting to produce.
Full sun, soil drains O.K.
Central Valley, CA. Last year we got over 20 days of triple digit heat.
Currently I'm watering for 10 minutes a day (2-1/2 quarts per plant) at 7:00 am.
Just right or too much or too little?
Thanks.

May 20, 2021	#1
nickel plate Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: California Posts: 24	How much daily water required for tomatoes? I've looked up this topic on line and have found only information about "inches of water" which doesn't really apply to my type of irrigation. I'm using landscape cloth with 4" holes and covered with mulch. Drip irrigation is on a timer. Drip heads are the green flag type, occasional pull the flag off to clean out the line (well water) put the flag back in when done. I ran a one dripper ten minute test which produced 2-1/2 quarts of water which works out to 3-3/4 gallons per hour. 18 Beefsteak varieties and 12 Early Girls. Plants are starting to produce. Full sun, soil drains O.K. Central Valley, CA. Last year we got over 20 days of triple digit heat. Currently I'm watering for 10 minutes a day (2-1/2 quarts per plant) at 7:00 am. Just right or too much or too little? Thanks.