Why did my tomatoes fail?

Question

I have a few tomato plants in my yard that have always done very well but this past month on 3 out of 3 plants each tomato has a black spot right on the bottom that looks like a burn mark. Just a black circle. Does anyone know what could have caused this?

Answer 1

This happens every year to my plants also.  I have heard two preventative remedies, one, put mulched up newspaper into the hole when you plant the tomato plants, and the other is to sucker the first bloom on the plant.  I don't do either, I just toss the first tomato if it gets the blossom rot and the rest are just fine.

Answer 2

The problem with black spots is they are caused by over watering or under watering or over fert. or under fert.

I've had success picking the ones with the black spots ASAP and any new ones would come on pretty good.

I'm also guilty of planting them too close together.

Answer 3

Sounds like blossom end rot.  Usually caused by intermittent watering, i.e. not enough then too much.  It is actually caused by a calcium deficiency brought on by the watering problem.  You can help by spraying the bushes with a calcium supplement.  Your Lowe's, Home Depot, or local garden store has it.  Be careful in the future to keep the plants watered but not over watered and be consistent.