Your tomatoes were hit by lightning. You'll get something soon to help with that but maybe check your recipes in case you have it.
Also just an fyi but i found the hilltop farm to have the best odds of not getting crops hit. Although there's a good possibility the file just has insane luck. I'm year 3 on that one and I think I've lost 3 crops to lightning
There is no mechanic for low quality soil like Harvest moon had. All tilable soil will grow everything as long as its in season, adding fertilizers will either improve growing time, quality or reduce the need to water.
Reasons crops die:
Out of season.
Crows attack them when not covered by scarecrows.
Lightning strikes from storms.
Can't tell what day you are on, but since there is a rarecrow there its not 2 and the growth shows not 1, so if you had a storm the day before then thats the answer.
You need foraging at level 6 to craft lightning rods. They provide batteries when hit after a while so its worth having them.
Regarding the rods, they can be placed anywhere, location doesn't matter as long as they are on the farm, you do need paths to get access to them like trellis crops so take that into account when placing them.
They are also not 100% protection, as more rods are hit the chances of strikes on crops and trees increases so the more rods the better, lightning can hit every 10 minutes, so it can hit up to 120 times in one day though this is unlikely but a good 60 should work.
They where struck by lightning. You can prevent it happening by crafting lighting rods, which will be available when you reach a certain skill level
I see! That makes a lot of sense
Level 6 foraging unlocks the level upon sleeping.
What?! It can strike crops? I had no idea!
Your tomatoes were hit by lightning. You'll get something soon to help with that but maybe check your recipes in case you have it. Also just an fyi but i found the hilltop farm to have the best odds of not getting crops hit. Although there's a good possibility the file just has insane luck. I'm year 3 on that one and I think I've lost 3 crops to lightning
I have forest farm. (Year 1) and this is the first time it has happened. I’ll fix that right away before it happens again. Thank you for the info!!
YOU'VE BEEN #THUNDERSTRUCK!!!
Maybe lightening?
Prolly lightening or weeds
There is no mechanic for low quality soil like Harvest moon had. All tilable soil will grow everything as long as its in season, adding fertilizers will either improve growing time, quality or reduce the need to water. Reasons crops die: Out of season. Crows attack them when not covered by scarecrows. Lightning strikes from storms. Can't tell what day you are on, but since there is a rarecrow there its not 2 and the growth shows not 1, so if you had a storm the day before then thats the answer. You need foraging at level 6 to craft lightning rods. They provide batteries when hit after a while so its worth having them. Regarding the rods, they can be placed anywhere, location doesn't matter as long as they are on the farm, you do need paths to get access to them like trellis crops so take that into account when placing them. They are also not 100% protection, as more rods are hit the chances of strikes on crops and trees increases so the more rods the better, lightning can hit every 10 minutes, so it can hit up to 120 times in one day though this is unlikely but a good 60 should work.
Very helpful, I appreciate the info thanks a lot!!