YORKTON – Someone mentioned to me that they use Epsom salts in their garden to prevent blossom end rot in their tomatoes. Are you familiar with this problem? Probably any tomato grower has had this problem at one time or another.
First of all, let’s identify the problem. If we pick a luscious tomato and then look at the bottom (the blossom end, hence the name) and see a black, sunken area, that’s blossom end rot. It is not a problem caused by disease, but by lack of calcium and poor growing conditions. Peppers can be affected by this problem, too.
Blossom end rot is caused by a lack of calcium in the soil. I have read that the soil usually provides enough calcium. But the issue comes with how the calcium reaches where it is needed in the plant. For the calcium to go where it is needed, there needs to be a good and constant flow of water. If we look at a typical tomato plant, the nutrients from the soil have a long way to travel through the plant to the actual tomatoes, and the leaves are better at absorbing the calcium along the way, so there might not be enough once it reaches the tomatoes.
So, a regular and gentle water supply to the plant is important. In the weather we have been having, with very hot dry days, it would be easy for the plant to dry out. After a dry period, and then with well-meaning gardeners giving a deluge of water as we enthusiastically try to “play catch-up”, we put the plant into that irregular water cycle. Constant watering is best, even though it is more work. Mulch would also help to keep the soil moisture steady, and using a drip hose is also another option.
Once our tomatoes have blossom end rot, the problem will not correct itself. We can still salvage part of the tomato for use if we cut off the affected part and see healthy tomato flesh again. Remember, it is not a disease but a physiological problem in the plant. But if the tomato in question is looking unhealthy all the way through, throw it away.
But now—after a chat about our tomatoes, back to the original question. Will Epsom salts help blossom end rot in tomatoes? The answer is no. Blossom end rot is caused by lack of calcium. Epsom salts are magnesium sulfate. While all nutrients can help our plants in various ways, the key is balance. But for blossom end rot, the key is regular watering, top-dressing with mulch or compost, and if needed, using a balanced fertilizer. Let’s keep these things in mind when we plant our tomatoes next year!
The Yorkton and District Horticultural Society will be having their first meeting on Wednesday, September 17 at 7:00 PM at the Yorkton Public Library. Our guest speaker will be Bonnie Warkentin speaking to us about “Succulent Wreaths”. Everyone is welcome.
Remember, too, that the Fall Plant and Bulb Sale is on Friday, September 26 at the Parkland Mall, Yorkton. There is still plenty of time to add plants to our garden collection; they have time to settle in before winter comes and will be ready to be beautiful in our gardens next spring! If you see some areas in your garden that need some improvement, the fall plant sale is the perfect time to shop for plants.
Visit the Yorkton Hort site at www.yorktonhort.ca and see what’s next on the gardening agenda. Thank you to our friends at YTW for their fine work each week. Enjoy these September days in the garden and have a good week!
