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Tomato problems in community garden #875237

Asked June 29, 2024, 1:05 PM EDT

The tomatoes in our community garden are showing rotting on the bottoms of both green and ripening tomatoes. The problem is occurring in multiple beds and on different varieties. Our yearly soil sample showed a pH if 7 and the soil was actually high in calcium. The plants have been consistently watered and the soil drains well.

Dorchester County Maryland

Expert Response

Hi Kathy- this appears to be blossom-end rot. Ask the gardeners to pull affected fruits off as soon as they notice the symptoms. If possible, apply 1/4 cup of gypsum (calcium sulfate) around each plant and water it in. Plant stress and excessive nitrogen can contribute to BER. Also, determinate-type plants that are heavily pruned are more susceptible to it.
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/blossom-end-rot-vegetables/

Buckeye rot is a disease that produces similar symptoms all over tomato fruits that are touching the soil:
https://blogs.cornell.edu/livegpath/gallery/tomato/tomato-buckeye-fruit-rot/
Let me know if you want to talk about it further.
Jon
Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 01, 2024, 9:36 AM EDT

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