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Why Blossom End Rot Happens to Tomatoes (and What To Do)

Those dark, sunken spots on the ends of your tomatoes don’t come from pests or diseases, and most of the time, it happens through no fault of your own.

Find out what causes blossom end rot, why it appears despite having healthy plants, and what steps you can take to prevent it.

As you’ll learn here, the problem is likely to resolve on its own but there are steps you can take to lessen the chances or prevent blossom end rot from happening to your plants.

Solution #1: Take it easy on the nitrogen.

Though nitrogen is a vital nutrient needed for plant growth, too much of it can cause foliage to grow too rapidly before various plant compounds have a chance to “catch up” and move enough calcium into the fruits.

Solution #2: Water consistently and mulch well.

Since calcium can only be moved into the plant by a constant, ample moisture supply, underwatering can cause calcium deficiency as the nutrient is unable to circulate properly throughout the plant.

Solution #3: Avoid disturbing the plant roots.

Try to avoid deep cultivation of the soil near the plant roots after fruit set. If you need to control weeds, hand pull them or scrape the soil lightly with a hoe to remove them.

Solution #4: Amend the soil with the appropriate amount and type of fertilizer.

If you find that season after season, your fruits are continually afflicted with blossom end rot despite your most valiant efforts to water them, it’s time to take a soil test.

There are many home testing kits available, but for the best, most accurate results, contact your cooperative extension office and ask them to send your soil to a local lab.

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