Tomato Blossom End Rot: Black Spots on Fruit
Fruit problem · common pattern reported by gardeners · verify locally
What you'll see
- Dark sunken patch on the blossom end
- Patch grows and leathers over
- Usually on first fruit set of the season
Most common causes
- Calcium deficiency at the fruit tip
- Irregular watering blocks calcium uptake even in rich soil
- Root damage or heavy pruning stress
How to fix it
- Remove affected fruit — they will not recover
- Water evenly; mulch to hold moisture
- Foliar calcium spray helps current fruit set
Prevention: Amend soil with lime or gypsum before planting (soil test first) Keep soil evenly moist through fruit set Avoid deep cultivation near roots
More Tomato problems
Grow Tomato with confidence
Open the Tomato growing guide → · Planting calendar · Pest & problem diagnoser
ZoneFig content reflects widely published extension-service and gardening guidance. Symptoms and causes are common patterns, not a diagnosis for any individual plant — verify locally and treat conservatively.