One of the most satisfying feelings of home gardening is to harvest a bumper crop of beautiful tomatoes at the end of the season. Tomatoes are one of the most popular plants grown by home gardeners because they are relatively easy to grow and they produce a fruit that has many delicious uses!

To get tomatoes that look like those above at the end of the season, you have to avoid some common problems with growing tomatoes. We’re calling these the 7 deadly sins because they are what are known as “cultural” problems with tomatoes. ………..

Sin #1 – Blossom-end Rot

Blossom-end rot is a dark patch on the blossom-end of the fruit that turns black and leathery over time. The cause is a calcium deficiency in the tomato…………

To avoid blossom-end rot, plant your tomatoes at the appropriate time, not too early in the season. Water and fertilize them evenly and consider using mulch, which will hold water and even out the water supply to the plant…………

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Sin #3 – Catfacing

Catfacing refers to holes and scars in the blossom end of the fruit that basically make for an ugly tomato that is often unusable. Larger tomato varieties are more susceptible than smaller ones. The cause isn’t entirely known, but it is thought to be some disturbance of the flowers or flower buds during their development. ………

Don’t plant your tomatoes too early in the season and expose them to cold weather. ……….

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Sin #7 – Soil Rot

There are a few different types of fungi that can form in your soil and can infect your tomatoes when they come in contact with the soil. You’ll usually find soil rot in conditions that are favorable for the growth of fungus generally, meaning warm, moist environments.  …………

In short, don’t let your tomatoes touch the soil. Make sure the tomatoes aren’t over-watered and that the soil is properly drained. An easy fix is to stake your tomatoes to minimize contact with the soil.  ……….

 

Bonus – Stink Bugs

This one is not your fault, stink bugs are just really bad in certain years. They are big, shield-shaped bugs that release a foul odor if you handle them. They will spend the winter in tall grass so keep the weeds down near your garden. They will damage the fruit when it’s green and as the fruit develops there will be cavities or spongy areas of the flesh, ruining the fruit.

Organic Pro Tip:

In addition to controlling weeds around the garden, you can also use an organic spray to repel or kill the stink bugs. Cedar oil is an effective repellent and it also kills stink bugs without causing them to release their offensive odor.  …………

Find the full article and rest of the tips in the Gardening Channel.

Article Source: Gardening Channel
Image Source: Missouri Botanical Garden