Fix Tomato Blossom End Rot

Well you guys, since we have so many questions on our facebook page from all of you, I think it is best to start getting this information on to our website so we can just post a link on the subject that others can benefit from. One of our readers was having an issue with her tomatoes and this was her letter to us.

Nicky wrote...
My tomatoes are getting black, soft spots directly on the bottom while still green and not very big. They are up off of the ground and look beautiful until you notice the bottoms. What could be causing this?

Hi Nicky:)

Sorry this is happening to your tomatoes. This issue you are having is called Blossom End Rot (BOO!!). Now, even though the end is rotting you can always let your tomatoes ripen, then just cut that area off and eat the rest of the tomato being sure to put the rotted area in your worm bin or composter. 


 So how does this happen?

This problem can be caused by a number of things but lets touch on some of them and there fixes for you and see if we can help you and others who are reading this.

• Sporadic Watering:  Tomatoes like it when they are watered around the same time per day. If they are not, they can (at times) get end rot because the watering allows the plant to take up calcium that is in the soil. Stick to your watering times. Make sure to touch the soil to see if it is wet, damp, or dry. You want the soil damp.

• FIX: Stick to your watering times. Make sure to touch the soil to see if it is wet, damp, or dry. You want the soil damp. 

• Dry Soil: Soil that is left to become to dry will really push your tomato plants to produce blossom end rot. Why? They cannot take up the calcium.

• FIX: Make sure soil is damp. 

• Calcium Deficiency:There may not be enough calcium in the soil and so blossom end rot will be on it's way:(  

• FIX: Take a few egg shells from your chickens (if you have chickens), boil the shells to make sure there clean from anything like salmonella. You can also use the water you boiled the shell and pour it in your garden. Crush the shells up real good, then you want to spread the crushed shell around in the hole when you plant your tomatoes. At least a spoon full:)

Other things you can do to help your tomatoes grow better is try and get your "hands" on some rabbit manure to fertilize your tomatoes. Because rabbit manure is a "cold" compost manure it will not burn your plants and the little rabbit poops are like little time release capsules:)

You can also use mulch to retain the water in the soil. Mulching can also keep soil very healthy and that means overall health for your plants. You will be way less likely to get blossom end rot if you mulch!

Adding some epsom salt can also reduce stress in plants and help them take up nutrients and calcium.

I hope all these tips help, God Bless!

You can see my other tomato plant care videos HERE!

Matt

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