These articles are written to apply to the northeastern corner of Illinois. Problems and timing may not apply outside of this area.
Tomatoes are one of the more popular vegetables for the backyard garden.
Gardeners grow various types of tomatoes, ranging from a few plants in patio planters to several dozen in large garden plots. Regardless of how many or what kind, there are some common problems tomatoes may develop during the season. This is due to blossom end rot, which tends to show up every summer with varying severity. Blossom end rot is due to a lack of calcium as the fruit develops, which in turn is usually due to fluctuating soil moisture as the fruit develops. Mulching the soil and watering as needed during dry spells that may occur should keep the problem in check.