Blossom End Rot: Calcium Deficiency Fix & Prevention for Tomatoes, Peppers & Squash

Blossom end rot—dark, sunken fruit bottoms—stems from calcium deficiency, often triggered by wet-then-dry weather swings. Affects peppers, squash, tomatoes, watermelon.

Control Steps

1. Pre-plant soil test: Check calcium and pH.
2. Adjust pH: If not highly acidic, add gypsum to stabilize.
3. Mulch: Maintains even moisture.
4. Avoid over-fertilizing: Keeps nutrient balance.
5. Monitor all season: Adjust as needed.

Proactive soil management prevents this disappointment. Gardening should be joy, not rot.