Blossom End Rot (BER), like many other things, starts at the very beginning. Selecting plants that have poor root development, planting when the soil is cold, overwatering, and putting fertilizer in the planting hole can all contribute to BER. While BER is a calcium deficiency it is rarely caused by lack of calcium in the soil. If you have BER it is most likely caused by roots that are damaged or slow to develop and therefore cannot deliver sufficient calcium when the plant needs it.

  The plants that you select need to have nice bright colored roots that look healthy. Plants that have little or no roots should be avoided. Remember, tomatoes can be planted deep and they will develop more roots but they must have healthy roots to begin with.

  Tomatoes are a warm season crop. Planting when the soil is still cold (under 60 degrees) will not only cause the roots to be slow developing, but can also lead to damping off disease which can lead to plant death.

Over-watering can lead to poor root function. Soggy roots will not deliver the nutrients needed and can lead to the plant withering up from lack of water. Tomatoes need a steady supply of water but too much will be harmful.

  Those little white pellets called fertilizer can burn the roots. Never put it in the hole with the roots. Roots absorb the nutrients from the dissolved fertilizer, so let it sink in from above. While we are on the subject, too much nitrogen can cause the plant to continue to grow and in some cases not set fruit. Liquid fertilizers that are high in nitrogen should be avoided.

  Soil acidity levels also play an important role in the availability of calcium so get the soil tested before you start.

  BER is a common problem in early season tomatoes, so pay attention to the above factors when you start. Most of the time the roots can recover and BER is not as common later in the season. Since plants don’t absorb calcium through the leaves, the calcium chloride sprays are of little value in controlling BER.