By Amor Chamness Cook
DEAR AMOR: Last year, I was unhappy with my tomato plants. I wondered why most of my tomato plants’ flowers bloomed, then fell off. What should I do differently this year so my tomato plants will be more fruitful? I fertilized my plants last year with a tomato fertilizer. Do you have any other suggestions? — Brenda
DEAR BRENDA: There is such a thing as blossom-drop in tomatoes. Although tomatoes are heat-seeking plants, their flowers are not. Extended, extreme heat can cause blossom-drop. So is the over-application of fertilizer and under-watering of tomato plants.
Good news is, some tomato varieties can tolerate heat. With proper fertilizer and water management, families can enjoy the goodness of home-grown tomatoes that are sweeter, juicer and healthier. And so, let’s know and grow!