August Help Desk Quiz

Bedford Master Gardeners, September 2010

1. My tomatoes are getting rotten on the ends before they get fully ripe. What can I do?

The problem is the plant’s inability to take calcium from the soil. This can be caused by too much water or too little water, or a deficit in calcium in the soil.

Treatment: For the current crop, water consistently when soil is dry. A foliar spray of calcium may help now with tomatoes that haven’t started rotting on ends.

Prevention: Before next planting, get a soil test to determine soil need for calcium. If needed, can treat soil with calcium before planting.

References:

http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/450/450-703/450- 703.html

http://aggiehorticulture.tamu.edu/publications/ tomatoproblemsolver/index.html

2. When is the best time to prune my azaleas?

Prune azaleas after they have finished blooming.

Rationale: Next year’s bloom come from this year’s growth.

References:

http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-602/426-602.html

http://www.usna.usda.gov/Gardens/faqs/ azaleafaq2.html

3. Where can I get some information on rain barrels?

http://www.epa.gov/region3/p2/make-rainbarrel.pdf

http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/ rainbarrel/make-a-rain-barrel.html

http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/pdfs/ rainbarrels.pdf