So far it has not been what could be described as a “good year” for the barganews vegetable garden. It started badly and has continued with one problem after another making for a very difficult year for those growing their own food. The terrible weather at the start of the season meant that effectively the garden started at least a month behind the normal time for sowing and planting and it has never really recovered since then.
One hundred tomato plants of four different types were planted but the lack of sun during most of the summer has meant that the crop never really ripened. Over the past week any tomatoes that did manage to get to maturity turned black and rotten with a disease that has not just hit the barganews vegetable garden but most of the tomato plants in this side of the valley. Most of the experts here reckon that it is blossom end rot, which is caused by improper (fluctuating from too dry to too moist) moisture.
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According to the experts I’ve consulted blossom end rot is caused by an imbalance of calcium and potash, and can be prevented by sprinkling the plants with Epsom salts. This would have the additional benefit of curing indigestion before you eat the stuff that causes it!