Blossom End Rot – Causes and How to Combat It

Blossom end rot is the dark, leathery spot that can develop on the bottom of tomatoes.  I'm battling blossom end rot on my tomatoes this year, so I did some research on causes and what to do about it that I thought I'd share for those who may be experiencing the same.

The cause of blossom end rot is a deficiency in calcium, and even if you have enough calcium in your soil, the uptake of calcium can be affected by inconsistent watering, cool or excessively hot weather, or too much nitrogen in the soil.

There are remedies that can still be effective on this season's crop such as immediately applying a calcium fertilizer product specifically designed for blossom end rot.  You can find these at your local garden store.  Consistent watering is also important in prevention.  Pick the affected tomatoes so that the plant's energy can be redirected to healthier fruit. Additional information can be found by visiting the Farmer’s Almanac.