TOMATO GROWING PROBLEMS TO AVOID
Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables found around the world. Many cultures use them in a number of dishes and salads. Many people have found that growing their own tomatoes greatly increases their ease in using tomatoes and confidence that they are getting a quality vegetable. In order to keep from having more tomatoes then you know what to do with though most gardeners will stagger their plantings or grow varities that will ripen at different times so that they will be harvesting ripe tomatoes all summer long.
Many problems associated with your tomato garden can easily be avoided by simple maintenance of your garden. Following are a few common problems and the ways to avoid them.
Phosphorous deficiency ranks as one of the most common problems. Most soils are loaded with phosphorous so the best way to avoid this problem is to plant early while the ground is cooler and this will inhibit the plants from taking up the phosphorous. You can use plastic mulch to help warm up the ground around your tomato plants.
Another problem can be caused by stink bugs. Stink bugs will cause spots and internal damage by their feeding. Control weeds around the garden, as these bugs can over-winter and attack your next season garden as well.
Blossom end rot occurs from a combination of cold temperatures or excessive heat during the blossoming, as well as fluctuations in water supply. Blossom end rot is caused by a calcium deficiency in the plant brought on by any of the previous situations. Fertilizing and watering properly can avoid this problem.
Root rot is another common problem. This is caused by an abundance of fungus growing after over-watering your plants. To control this problem rotate your tomatoes, water them at the correct time and improve your soil so it drains well. Do not grow tomatoes in the same spot for more than three years to avoid root rot.
All of these common tomato growing problems can be easily avoided by just following proper maintenance practices, watering at the proper time and not trying to rush your tomatoes by planting to early in the spring.
