Every year people ask about blossom end rot—a dark leathery spot on the bottom of the tomato. Your plant will continue to bloom and set fruit until the end of the season. It’s pretty common and especially so with tomato plants growing in containers. It’s most likely caused by a calcium deficiency.
The disease is especially prevalent when rapidly growing plants are exposed suddenly to a period of drought. It’s the fruits that rot on the bottom when the roots don’t get enough calcium, which is carried by the water to the quickly growing fruits.
In containers, use a potting soil/mix containing ample sphagnum peat moss. This helps reduce the problem. Like a sponge, sphagnum peat moss absorbs and holds up to 20 times its own weight in water. The ingredient coir also helps; coir can hold up to 7 to 8 times its weight in water. Remember that the roots can take in calcium from the soil, and water then moves the calcium up to the plant as it grows.
Plant food mixes that have sphagnum peat moss and/or coir keep a lot of water and calcium-rich moisture around the roots like a sponge. Potting soils/mixes without sphagnum peat moss drain and dry out more quickly. Little or no water means dry soil and little or no calcium transported up to the tomato plant. You can also add a mulch, like straw, on top to keep the potting mix or soil moist and stop water from evaporating.
In general, there does not seem to be any easy fix for blossom end rot. Keep your tomato garden soil/potting mix consistently moist with regular deep, thorough watering. Don’t let your Self-Watering Container run dry and don’t let your tomato plant “droop” from lack of water. I generally remove and toss the affected fruit. If it’s excessive, I’ll pull the plant and start with a new one.
I have never heard of blossom end rot in cherry tomatoes. Blossom end rot occurs more often with tomatoes grow in containers as compared to backyard/raised bed type planting. Bigger tomatoes are more likely to get blossom end rot. We’ve all had it happen, and I don’t know of a surefire way to stop it. Some people swear that by using crushed egg shells in the soil around the plant cures the problem.
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Peat moss has become a staple in many gardener’s toolkits. This fibrous material formed from decomposing mosses in bogs provides numerous benefits for growing plants. But do tomatoes like peat moss? Let’s take a closer look at using peat moss for tomatoes.
What is Peat Moss?
Peat moss, also known as sphagnum peat moss is made up of decomposed moss plants typically from the species Sphagnum. Over thousands of years, mosses accumulated in bogs and fens, piling up layer after layer. The mosses on the bottom became compacted due to the weight, slowing down decomposition and leading to peat formation.
This organic matter is harvested and processed into a soil amendment product with a coarse, fibrous, and spongy texture. When mixed into soil, peat moss improves moisture retention, aerates the soil, and provides nutrients. It has a slightly acidic pH around 5.5 to 6.5.
Peat moss is often used in potting mixes and seed starting mediums. It’s an excellent addition when planting vegetables, annuals, perennials and shrubs.
Benefits of Peat Moss for Tomatoes
There are several key reasons why peat moss can be beneficial for growing tomatoes
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Moisture retention – Tomatoes need consistent moisture, especially when first planted and during fruit set. The spongy nature of peat moss helps retain moisture in the soil.
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Aeration – Peat moss creates air pockets in heavy soils, allowing oxygen to reach roots Tomatoes thrive in well-aerated soil
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Acidic pH – Tomatoes prefer a soil pH between 5.5 to 6.8. The acidic nature of peat moss helps lower pH in alkaline soils.
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Nutrients – Peat contains trace amounts of nutrients that are released as it decomposes. This includes nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
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Weed seed free – Peat moss won’t introduce weed seeds like improperly composted manures can.
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Lightweight – When used in containers or raised beds, peat moss helps lighten heavy potting mixes.
Overall, the moisture retention, aeration, pH balance and nutrient benefits of peat moss create an ideal growing environment for tomatoes.
How to Use Peat Moss for Tomato Plants
Here are some tips for amending soil with peat moss when growing tomatoes:
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For in-ground gardens, mix 1-3 inches of peat moss into the top 6-8 inches of native soil. Mix thoroughly before planting.
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For containers, combine 1 part peat moss with 1 part perlite or vermiculite. Or use peat as 1/3 of a quality potting mix.
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For seed starting, combine 2 parts peat moss and 1 part perlite. Lightly pack into trays or pots.
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To transplant tomatoes, add peat moss to the bottom of the planting hole for moisture retention.
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For acid-loving tomatoes like heirlooms, use higher amounts of peat moss to lower pH.
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For fruiting tomatoes, mix compost into soil along with peat moss to provide nutrients.
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For mulch around tomatoes, use a thin layer of peat moss to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
The key is using peat moss in balance with other amendments like compost or perlite based on your soil needs.
Disadvantages of Peat Moss
While peat moss has many advantages, there are a few potential drawbacks:
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Expensive – Peat moss is more costly than other organic amendments like compost.
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Compressed – Peat moss needs to be loosened up and broken apart before using.
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Watering – Peat moss can sometimes repel water when very dry, requiring a thorough wetting.
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Renewability – Peat bogs are slowly renewable resources and harvesting peat moss raises environmental concerns.
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pH fluctuations – As peat moss decomposes, the pH may drift up after the first year. Monitor pH when using peat.
With proper preparation and mixing, these issues can be minimized. Weigh the benefits and drawbacks when deciding whether to use peat moss in your garden.
Alternatives to Peat Moss
For gardeners concerned about environmental impacts or cost, there are a few suitable alternatives:
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Coconut coir – Made from coconut hull fibers, coir has a similar texture and moisture retention to peat moss. It has a more neutral pH around 6.0-6.5.
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Compost – Compost improves soil structure and nutrients. Balanced compost has a pH ideal for tomatoes.
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Leaf mold – Decomposed leaves make a nutrient-rich, moisture retentive amendment with pH around 5.5-6.5.
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Shredded bark/wood – A renewable amendment that retains some moisture, has a pH of 4.5-6.0, and slowly adds nutrients as it breaks down.
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Vermiculite – Improves aeration and retains some moisture. Use along with compost to provide nutrients.
When mixed properly, these peat-free options can also provide benefits for tomato plants.
Best Practices for Using Peat Moss
To get the most out of peat moss for your tomato patch, keep these tips in mind:
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Choose a high-quality sphagnum peat moss from a reputable brand. Avoid cheaper peat humus.
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Prepare peat moss by loosening compressed blocks and breaking up large clumps before mixing into soil.
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Thoroughly mix peat moss into soil, up to one-third by volume, before planting tomatoes.
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For containers, combine peat moss with a balancing amendment like perlite or compost.
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Monitor moisture levels. Peat moss can repel water when bone dry. Water thoroughly after mixing and before planting.
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Test soil pH each year and adjust as needed. The pH of peat moss may increase over time.
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Use peat moss sparingly in soils with adequate organic matter, focusing on areas with poor drainage or nutrition.
With the proper precautions, peat moss can be a useful soil amendment for tomatoes. Evaluate your specific soil conditions to decide if peat moss has a place in your vegetable garden.
Tomatoes generally thrive well in peat moss because it provides an ideal growing environment. Peat moss is an excellent soil amendment that improves soil structure, retains moisture, and provides a slightly acidic pH (around 5.5 to 6.5) which is optimal for tomato plants.
However, peat moss needs to be mixed thoroughly into soil at the right ratios. Monitor soil pH and moisture levels when growing tomatoes in amended soil with peat moss. With the right balance, peat moss can help provide bumper crops of juicy, flavorful tomatoes.
Why Use Peat Moss in Gardening
FAQ
Should I add peat moss to my tomato garden?
What vegetables do not like peat moss?
What is the best thing to add to soil for tomatoes?
Is peat moss good for tomatoes and cucumbers?
Why do tomatoes grow in peat moss?
Peat moss prods the plants so that the plant can produce a huge amount of tomatoes. When they are planted in peat moss, tomato seedlings are less vulnerable to the dangers of common diseases. Peat moss is a vital component for most of the potting soils and a medium for starting seed.
Can you apply peat moss to tomato plants?
You can apply peat moss to tomato plants by combining it with perlite in a bucket and mixing it. Break up any larger chunks for easier application. Afterward, add water to improve absorption. However, be careful not to overwater the plants.
Is peat moss good for vegetables?
Incorporating peat moss into the soil can also benefit other vegetables, such as cucumbers, beans, and squash. However, it is important to note that not all vegetables require the same growing conditions, and factors like climate, soil type, and sunlight exposure can also impact their performance.
Can you put peat moss in a vegetable garden?
Be sure to avoid placing peat moss too close to the stems of your vegetable plants, as this can cause rot and disease. Adding peat moss to your vegetable garden can greatly benefit the growth and health of your plants. With these tips, you can effectively incorporate peat moss into your gardening practices.
Do potatoes need peat moss?
Potatoes thrive in soil that is consistently moist and well-draining, which peat moss can provide. This amendment can also help prevent soil-borne diseases that can affect potato crops, such as black scurf. Carrots need loose, well-draining soil to develop their characteristic shape and size.
How much Moss do you need to grow a tomato plant?
For a good start, two tomato seeds would require around three-inch diameter of the compressed peat moss, and it can be planted in the ground and begin to decompose as the seedling starts to mature. This is great for the tender roots of the tomato plant.