Teenage Black Toes Site

Because tomatoes are mostly water, they need a constant stream of calcium to build their cell walls. If that stream is interrupted while the fruit is growing (the "teenage" stage), the cells at the very bottom (the blossom end) literally collapse, leading to:

: Aim for "moist but not soggy." Using mulch around the base of your plants is the best way to keep soil moisture levels steady. teenage black toes

: Tomatoes need a pH of around 6.5 to properly absorb calcium. Because tomatoes are mostly water, they need a

Don't let "teenage black toes" ruin your summer salsa! With a little more attention to your watering schedule, your tomatoes will be back to their healthy, vibrant selves in no time. Don't let "teenage black toes" ruin your summer salsa

The Mystery of "Teenage Black Toes" in Your Garden If you’ve ever walked out to your tomato patch only to find your beautiful green fruit sporting dark, sunken patches on the bottom, you might have heard someone jokingly refer to it as "teenage black toes." While it’s not an official scientific name, this nickname perfectly captures that awkward stage where your "teenage" (immature) tomatoes start developing unsightly black spots.

: In a pinch, some gardeners use a calcium foliar spray or even crushed Tums (calcium carbonate) worked into the soil for a quick boost.

: Over-fertilizing with high-nitrogen food can make the plant grow so fast that the calcium can't keep up.