[Tomato Dirt #207] Sunscald: Patches, Blisters, and White Spots

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[Tomato Dirt #207] Sunscald: Patches, Blisters, and White Spots – Oh My!
July 23, 2020

Tomato Dirt Newsletter
Volume 10, Number 15

Dear Tomato Dirt reader,

Welcome back to Tomato Dirt! A couple times a month, we’ll send you this newsletter packed with tips about growing tomatoes and using them.

Danger: Don't Let Your Tomatoes Get Thirsty

Yes, it’s good to be a drip when it comes to watering your garden! Tomatoes need 1-3 inches of water a week.

Hoses, nozzles, drip irrigation, water timers, rain gauges, soaker systems, watering cans, rain urns … check out all kinds of watering gadgets with our good friends at Gardener’s Supply.

This is the GS page where you can get all the different kinds of watering gear you need for your garden. It's so much fun to browse around. And if you find something at a bargain price - well, go for it!

Plus, they donate 8% of their profits to home and garden improvement programs.

But apart from all that good stuff, their watering gadgets and irrigation supplies are quality products that will last season after season. Check them out here.

Tomato Dirt is on Pinterest

Join us on Pinterest! Browse our 100+ boards (and growing) for all kinds of tomato inspiration and practical information: growing tomatoes, tomato seeds, cold frames for tomatoes, tomato books, tomato greenhouses, , indoor tomatoes – even crafts to do with a tomato theme. Happy pinning!

FEATURE: Sunscald on Tomatoes: Patches, Blisters, and White Spots – Oh My!

Image: Tomato Dirt

If you notice that your tomatoes have light patches, blisters, white or white spots, they may have sunscald – particularly if the plants get too much direct sun and especially during very hot weather.

Sound familiar? Take these steps.

Don’t over-prune tomato plants -- especially in hot climates. If you leave extra branches on plants, you’ll provide extra shade for fruit.
Cage tomato plants. Caging provides tomato support without requiring pruning, so foliage can provide shade to tomatoes, whereas traditional stakes and trellising expose fruit to maximum sunlight, which promotes sunscald.
Watch the weather. When the forecast is for extended hot, dry weather, shield plants with a lightweight screen, shade cloth, or straw to protect fruit from over-exposure and hopefully prevent sunscald.

Get more details about sunscald and other problems on tomato fruit… and be sure to check out our Tomato Problems Pinterest board for more helpful information.

Best Tips for Growing Tomatoes: Bestseller in 89 Countries

THE tomato-growing Bible and best-seller in 89 countries: How to Grow Juicy Tomatoes. Two horticulturalists combine forces to give you advice about the right way to prune, fertilize, water and stake tomatoes.

You’ll be able to diagnose pest and disease problems using step by step priceless information, illustrated with 260 full color photos.

Get the book and you’ll also get 6 free bonuses, including the Family Tomato Cookbook and a database of 1300 varieties of tomatoes. More details here.

Build a Shed In A Weekend Even If With Zero Woodworking Experience

Fall is just around the corner. And that’s a perfect time to build the shed you’ve been dreaming about.

And now you can get Ryan’s Shed Plans at a special Lockdown Discount. (Check it out here.)

Ryan Henderson has taught more than 4,000 people to build professional looking sheds. He has even taught absolute newbies – those without ANY experience at all.

Each of his plans includes a complete materials list, step-by-step directions, and photos and instructions. No extra trips to Home Depot or Lowe’s. You won’t be guessing whether you’ve got it right not.

You’ve got some extra time. Why not use it to build the shed you’ve wanted and needed … and save a bundle in the process.

Check out Ryan’s Shed Plans here.