Expert: Don Battales - 3/25/2008

Question
when do I start fertilizing newly planted plants and how often.We have hot dry summers here,not sure how often to water.What causes bottom rot? Thank-you.

Answer
When you plants are healthy and strong, about 6-8 inches tall you can start to side dress them with fertilizer. I suggest chicken manure if you have it. Tomatoes like lots of sun, water and fertilizer. Fertilize about ever 10-15 days. Water in soaked about every 3-5 days based on the soil and mulch that you have used.

Regarding bottom rot this could be caused by a number of things. Check the plants to see if there are nemitodes.

Best wishes and good luck.

Don Battles