Protecting Tomatoes from Hail

Farmers have searched for methods to control hail, including using cannons.


Hail occurs when strong updrafts and downdrafts form in clouds. The warm updrafts catch rain droplets and carry them high into the clouds, where the air temperature falls below freezing. The droplets freeze, drop and are once again caught by an updraft and lifted. This repeated cycle causes ice to form in layers, creating hail. Although uncommon in coastal areas, hail can cause significant damage to all garden plants, including tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum), a warm-season annual vegetable.

Impromptu Protection

Because hail is rare, constructing permanent hail protection may not be worth the effort and cost. Instead, you can cover young tomato plants hastily with lawn chairs, large plastic boxes or even a card table when hail is forecast or begins. If the hail is severe, it may damage the chairs or table. So don't use valuable objects to cover the plants.

Permanent Protection

Gardeners in hail-prone areas often build miniature hoop tunnels that fit neatly over vegetable gardens. These tunnels can be made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes, metal posts or wood and covered with plastic or hardware cloth. Miniature hoop tunnels generally stand 2 to 4 feet tall. Tomato plants may grow much taller than 4 feet by the end of summer, but, fortunately, hail typically strikes in early summer when the plants are smaller. Another option is to cover the plants' tomato cages with a sheet of hardware cloth. Extend the hardware cloth over the cages' sides by several inches to offer additional protection.

Damage Recovery

Sometimes even with protection, tomato plants sustain hail damage. Their leaves become tattered and shredded, and their trunk and stems are cut and nicked. Don't be too hasty to discard the plants. Tomato plants often recover from hail damage, especially if the damage occurs early in the growing season. Clean up the debris from the garden ground, and keep the plants watered. Fertilize the tomato plants with a solution containing 1/2 tablespoon of fish emulsion per 1 gallon of water. Because seaweed extract can stimulate new growth and promote healing in the plants, spray their leaves with a foliar spray of seaweed extract.

Damage Too Severe

If you see no new growth on hail-damaged tomato plants after one or two weeks, it's probably time to discard the plants. Pull up the injured plants' roots, and send the plants to the compost pile. If it's early in summer and you live in an area with a long growing season, you can start with new tomato plants. Select strong, healthy, nursery plants and opt for fast-maturing varieties.

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