As we head into mid-summer, the grapes are beginning to ripen. The weather is, well, the weather. We're having chilly, fall-like mornings followed by very warm afternoons. In fact, we're right now heading into another mini heat wave that will make getting to sleep difficult. So much for chilly mornings (although we all know they'll be back soon enough). We had a nice rain shower on Monday morning, but it was nowhere near enough to put a dent in the dry, almost drought, conditions that we've had this summer.
The vineyard at sunrise last week.
About half of our tomato crop is suffering from blossom-end rot. I read that it occurs often when wet springs are followed by dry summers, causing a calcium imbalance in the tomato plant. It's discouraging, to say the least. It may be what caused some of the pumpkins to rot, too. I also read that certain tomato varieties can be more susceptible to the condition, and I've noticed that with the cornabel and cœur de bœuf tomatoes, and one or two other varieties that had the same problem last year and years prior. It's time to totally renew my seed stock and to avoid those varieties.
Such a shame about the tomatoes. The weather hasn't been pleasant this summer. Warm/hot and almost always humid. We've never run the air-conditioning so much in our 7-plus years here.
ReplyDeleteOh no! I remember when this happened to you a few years ago!
ReplyDeleteFarmers and gardeners have much less control than we would like. So sorry about your tomatoes, so disheartening!
ReplyDeleteWorks for me!
ReplyDeleteHow to apply:
Step 1 – Crush up 1 antacid tablet into a powder
Step 2 – Fill a sprayer or watering can with 1 gallon of water
Step 3 – Stir in antacid powder till fully desolved
Step 4 – Apply to the roots or spray on leaves as a foliar spray
Step 5 – Re-apply every month for best results.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaVnfogwMZU
A tomato fix I've been trying this summer.
ReplyDeleteSave eggshells, rinse them out. Toast in a slow oven for 10-15 minutes.
Crush thoroughly.
Sprinkle around base of plant.
Supposedly keeps slugs away and also provides calcium.
So far, so good.
mitch, I didn't think it would be so humid down there.
ReplyDeletejudy, it's disappointing, but there are ways to deal with it.
bettyann, thanks!
unknown, sounds intriguing!
emm, I found out that the eggshell method is a long-term solution because the calcium is released slowly. The lime or antacid remedy can stop the problem in the current season because the calcium is already "free." I also read that garden lime (calcium carbonate) works like the antacid remedy.
what a delight to see this photo full of green and promise of wine
ReplyDelete