Blossom end rot is common problem in tomatoes, but it can be
found in other vegetables like peppers, cucumbers and eggplants. Developing fruit have a calcium deficiency in
the tissue which appears as a soft dark spot on the end of the fruit. The problem is easy to prevent, but hard to
cure. Calcium is not readily available
in soil with a low pH and adding dolomite lime will raise the pH and add
calcium. Removing crops from the garden can deplete the soil of calcium and
other elements. Potting soil has little if any calcium. Young plants can absorb calcium better than
older plants, so it is best to add calcium at planting time. If your pH is good,
you can add Gypsum to your soil instead of lime. Gypsum is a natural mineral
form of Calcium sulfate. I recommend, when
planting vegetables in the garden, mix 2-3 tablespoons of gypsum in the
planting hole. For potted plants, add
about ¼ cup of gypsum to 3-5 gallons of potting soil. Keep in mind that Calcium and other minerals
are moved through plants with water and drought stress will also cause blossom
end rot. #blossomendrot
Gypsum is like
duct tape for gardeners – it can fix a number of problems in the garden cheaply.
Gypsum also adds essential mineral sulfur along with calcium
to the soil. Adding Gypsum will not change the soil pH.
In heavy clay soils, adding gypsum will loosen the clay and
improve drainage.
Gypsum will displace salt and will help heal problems caused
by pet urine in lawns. Just sprinkle about 1 cup around the affected area and
water it in.
In garden ponds, gypsum can help settle clay and dirt
particles, making the water clearer.
Gypsum will displace salts and will save a landscape when
seawater washes over during a storm.
In case you were wondering, gypsum is used in construction
to make plaster. The ancient Egyptians
used gypsum to cover the walls inside the pyramids. However wasn’t till 1769 that a German
scientist, Johann Friedrich Mayer, discovered that gypsum made a great
fertilizer. #gypsum
Magnesium sulfate, commonly known as Epsom Salt, Add a table spoon of this at planting and again every spring. Magnesium is
important for chlorophyll production. Plant proteins are made with Sulfur. Epsom Salt Foliage spray 2 tablespoons per gallon or 1lb. per
1000 sq feet
I don’t think I can say enough about adding Mushroom Compost to any garden soil Getting compost in the ground before you plant
will be more beneficial than trying to add some later. Also adding a truck load
of compost will raise your bed and improve drainage