Blossom Rot

     A recent devastating disaster has encompassed my garden after a torrential storm. Luckily, all my plants stayed intact. However, I discovered all my Roma tomatoes have started to rot on the bottom. As a novice gardener who is learning as she goes, tomatoes have been my biggest struggle for years. I thought this year was going to be the best one yet for a good tomato harvest, up until last week. Let's talk about what blossom rot is and how we can avoid it next time so you don't make the same mistake as me.

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What is blossom rot?

Blossom rot is a common gardening issue that manifests as discolored, sunken spots, on the bottom of the vegetable, rendering inedible. It is also known as blossom end rot. Blossom rot typically affects the fruits of plants of the nightshade family which includes tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. This rot looks like a dark, dry, or water-soaked lesion at the bottom end of the fruit (pictured-above).

What causes blossom rot?

I have heard from many people that blossom rot is caused by "inadequate watering" and "calcium deficiency". They are both partially true; it is caused by a combination of both. Fluctuations in the soil moisture can hinder calcium absorption of the plant's roots. Overwatering and underwatering can disrupt nutrient uptake. Nutrient imbalances from nitrogen-rich fertilizer will also impact calcium uptake. Take it easy on the Miracle-Gro. Rapid temperature changes, high humidity, and extreme heat can also prohibit the plant from regulating water and calcium intake causing blossom rot. There are many factors and causes of blossom rot and a gardener may never know the exact source, so it is best to follow good practices in preventing blossom rot.

How to prevent blossom rot:

1. Water consistently: Maintain adequate soil moisture levels by watering deep into the root system, not on top of the plant leaves.

2. Proper soil nutrient balance: Test your soil regular to determine which nutrients are needed or not. Avoid overusing nitrogen rich fertilizers and opt for balanced fertilizers with calcium additives.

Here is a link to a natural and organic fertilizer I recommend that is low in nitrogen, contains calcium, and is great for tomatoes and your whole garden!

   

3. Mulching: Apply mulch around the plants such as wood chips, straw, and grass clippings. This will help regulate the soil moisture and temperature.

4. Timely harvesting: Harvest when the fruits begin to ripen. Do not leave overripe fruits on the plants as this will cause the plant to divert calcium resources.

I have seen some clever hacks for growing tomatoes (or other plants if need be) that I'd like to share with you to spark some ideas to prevent blossom rot.

• Dig PVC pipe next to your plants far enough to reach the root system. Water through the PVC pipe only. It will need to have holes drilled throughout it.
• Apply tinfoil around the base of the plant to avoid overwatering from rain (while using the PVC system or similar entity)
• If you know your soil is depleted of calcium here are some easy and cheap solutions to add it back in: crushed eggshells (blended in blender to make powder), milk (a good way to use expired milk), antacid tablets such as Tums (as longs as it has calcium)

I hope some of these tips and tricks can help out a gardener somewhere! Happy gardening!