Hello everyone, in this blog post, I will be discussing blossom end rot, which is a common issue that occurs at the bottom of tomatoes. This issue causes a black spot at the blossom end of the tomato and can occur at any stage of growth, including mature tomatoes.

Blossom end rot can occur due to inconsistent watering or calcium deficiency, among other factors. It is more commonly found in certain tomato varieties, such as romas and san marzanos. In this post, I will be discussing some effective ways to mitigate this issue and increase your tomato yield.

Firstly, it is important to note that blossom end rot is caused by a deficiency of calcium in the tomato plant, rather than the soil. Tomatoes need a proper amount of calcium throughout their growth to produce good fruit with good skin and prevent blossom end rot. Therefore, it is essential to provide consistent watering to your tomato plants to ensure that calcium is effectively supplied to the plant's roots. Watering too much or too little can cause this issue, so it is important to water tomato plants from the bottom and keep the roots with even moisture, and mulching the tomato plants will also help retain moisture.

The pH level of the soil can also cause issues with the plant's ability to absorb nutrients, including calcium. The ideal pH level for tomato plants is between 6.5 and 7.0. Therefore, always test your soil to ensure that it has the ideal pH level. To increase the pH level of your soil, add lime, and to decrease it, add sulfur.

Adding too much nitrogen to the soil can also cause blossom end rot. A lot of nitrogen causes rapid growth in tomato plants, which can lead to the plant's inability to take in enough calcium. Therefore, use slow-release fertilizers that are low in nitrogen and rich in phosphorus and potassium.

Cultivating soil right next to the tomato plant can also disturb the roots or damage them, making it difficult for the roots to absorb enough calcium. Therefore, it is important to avoid using weeding or cultivating tools right next to the plant.

Lastly, adding calcium to the soil naturally can also help prevent blossom end rot. Some natural ways to add calcium include juicing eggshells, oyster shells, and bone meal. However, it is essential to crush these shells finely and add them to the soil in fall before planting tomatoes to ensure that they have enough time to break down into the soil and release calcium.

In conclusion, blossom end rot is a common issue among tomato plants, but it can be mitigated with proper care and attention. Ensure that you provide consistent watering, maintain the ideal pH level of your soil, use slow-release fertilizers, avoid cultivating soil next to the plant, and add calcium naturally to the soil to prevent this issue and increase your tomato yield.