Blossom End Rot on Peppers: Causes & Late-Season Fixes

Black, sunken bottoms on immature peppers = blossom end rot. It's a calcium uptake issue, not a pathogen—usually from irregular watering or root damage.

Immediate Steps

• Water consistently: deep soak 1–2×/week, never let soil dry out completely.
• Mulch 2 inches to stabilize moisture.
• Foliar calcium spray (calcium chloride) may help new fruit.

Long-Term Soil Fix

Fall: Incorporate compost, gypsum (calcium sulfate), and aged manure. Test pH—target 6.2–6.8. Avoid excess nitrogen. Rotate crops; don't plant peppers in same spot yearly.