Here are tips on how to identify, control, and prevent blossom-end rot on your tomatoes and other garden plants.
What is Blossom-End Rot?
Why are your tomatoes rotting on the bottom? Unfortunately, they probably have blossom-end rot. It is a common problem on tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and squash caused by a low concentration of calcium in the fruit. (Calcium is needed for normal cell growth.) Blossom-end rot usually occurs when there are wide fluctuations of moisture, which reduces uptake and movement of calcium into the plant. When the demand for calcium exceeds the supply, the tissues break down.
Calcium deficiency during fruit formation can also be caused by too much nitrogen fertilizer, high salt levels in the soil, or damage to plant roots during cultivation. Be aware of these causes when caring for tomatoes in order to prevent blossom-end rot.
Some blossom-end rot is more or less normal in the first tomatoes of the season, since the plants are usually under stress during the initial fruit set. If the damaged portion is small, you can trim it off and enjoy the rest of the tomato. Hopefully the problem will ease, because after all, no one wants rotten tomatoes!
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Blossom Rot / Calcium
When planting my tomatoes, I always throw a handful of crushed oyster shells in the ground with a light dirt covering and then spread them out around the stem to stop any slugs from stopping by. The calcium helps the plants and the slugs won't crawl across the sharp bits of shell.
Add powdered milk
Add powdered milk
I am fairly new to gardening, only 3 years of ground gardening and 1 year of straw bale gardening. In the book I read about straw bale gardening, "Straw Bale Gardens" by Joel Karsten, Mr. Karsten mentioned adding powdered milk (high in calcium) to the hole before planting the tomato plant. I did this and did not have any issue with bottom rot. I had a wonderful harvest of healthy tomatoes, except when the slugs starting coming. I took care of the slugs with Mr. Karsten's suggestion of putting a shallow container with some beer in it and sinking it in to the bale a little so it is easy for the slugs to crawl in but not crawl out. The slugs preferred the beer over my tomatoes, which made happy. I will definitely be planting in straw bales again next year!
using powdered milk as calcium source for tomatos
I am wondering if you had any success using the powdered milk.
hi... new to gardening this
hi... new to gardening this past year. we did pretty good until what people are calling 'late blight'. i was told once you have 'it', it stays in the soil. ???sounds like from reading this i can ammend the soil next year and will be fine??
please advise... and thank you :)
Hi Kriss, Late blight is very
Hi Kriss,
Late blight is very hard to get rid of. Please read our blog about late blight at
www.almanac.com/blog/gardening...
I have been told that crushed
I have been told that crushed tums is a good source of calcium for the garden. I have not tried it yet but plan to next year.
I keep on hearing about
I keep on hearing about blossom end rot over the years and usually end up with some of my plants. I keep getting told to increase the calcium level for the plants, but I can never find out where to get the calcium from. I have been told to mix crushed eggshells, but I live on my own, so consequently don't get many. I've asked friends, but they are all in the same situation.
If you have a calcium
If you have a calcium deficiency in your soil, it all starts with soil preparation next year. Start out by adding lime into the to 12 inches of the soil.
To know how much lime to add, it would be best if you knew your soil pH. You want a pH of 6.5 to 6.8 to free up calcium. If you do a soil test, the results will tell you the amount of lime to add. Usually, your county cooperative extension will give you a free soil test.
Adding crumbled egg shells to your compost or burying them in the garden is also a good idea over time.
Also, avoid over-fertilizing, especially with nitrogen which ties up the calcium in the soil.
It also helps to use mulch to keep the soil moisture even.
Keep the soil moist and water evenly. Using a soaker hose at the plant's base is best.
Some readers use calcium sprays as a short-term fix. You'll want to ask your garden center about a spray.