Question
hi, i live in Lawton OKLAHOMA and im growing tomatoes i have some that are in the growing stagesbut how can i save them from spliting from the stem and how do i keep birds away.When it rains how can protect the tomatoes from getting too much rain? thank you

Answer
Shane, when tomatoes split, it is always a sign of irregular watering.  This is normally caused by days of no rain and then periods of heavy rain.  

Although there is little that can be done to protect vegetables from rain, you can amend the soil with organic matter to improve drainage.  I personally use raised beds with a soil level of 10 inches.  My soil is composed primarily of compost, peat moss, shredded leaves, and aged manure.  Since using this method, I rarely experience problems related to excessive rain or poor drainage, similar to the problem you have described.

In regard to birds, the only option is netting.  All garden centers sell netting designed for fruit trees and vegetables.  It is very effective, but does need to be removed when harvesting.

I hope this answered your question.  Good luck, and have a great week.

Regards,

Mike