Is this a total bummer or what? This poor San Marzano tomato has blossom-end rot, which is caused by calcium deficiency that in my case was caused by drought stress. I was gone for a few days and stupidly believed the weather report which predicted a few days of showers. That was the beginning of our long dry spell and those few days of dry heat really messed with my tomatoes. I've pulled off numerous affected fruit, have been monitoring the moisture, and things seem to be looking good for the four afflicted tomato plants. My silver lining is that at least it's not late blight. Here's a funny side note: the tomato plants that I cared least for and planted down by the barn where they get no extra water but what the skies drop on them are doing great. Huge, green, towering plants with massive fruit. They actually have the same exact soil as the other tomatoes, so I know it's not the soil that is deficient in calcium. You know why these tomatoes are doing so well? They get a constant supply of chicken manure. It's amazing. The tomato plant that is next to the manure compost pile? It is at least a foot taller than its neighboring plants. Just another reason why you should have chickens.
