First there is the loss of the entire French melon crop. I had about 15 in various parts of the garden, and they fell prey to bacterial wilt spread by the dreaded cucumber beetle. These beetles also laid waste to my summer squash and, of course, my cucumbers. I DID manage to get something of a harvest from the cucumbers, but three days ago I pulled them up as well.
Also disappointing is the Blossom End Rot I am getting on my Italian Sweet tomatoes. I amended the soil with plenty of calcium early on ... but, alas, they are all black and rotten on the bottom. I was able to salvage some slices from the top of the fruit today, and I can attest that Italian Sweets are still my favorite tasting tomato. If only I could harvest a whole one.
On the bright side, not all of my tomatoes are Italian Sweets. The Better Boys will soon be tumbling in followed by the Big Zacs, the Brandywine, and the Boxcar Willies. And the green beans are prolific.
Well THIS looks like a perfectly ripened tomato .... BUT ....
underneath is the dreaded BER
2 comments:
Condolences on tomatoes, cukes, squash and melon. The top of tomato is beautiful.
I am glad for news from dreams and bones-welcome back!
xox,
mbk
Try adding some acidity to your soil. I don't really do the tomato thing, but I do know that from my experiences with pepper growing, extremely alkaline soil can prevent the uptake to calcium.
Dolomitic lime might be a good idea.
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