AboutMike Mascio Expertise I have been an avid gardener since 1985 and an AllExpert volunteer since
1998. I specialize in soil preparation, seed starting and plant
propagation, flowers, vegetables, and general landscaping. I am a strong
advocate of the square foot method of gardening and the use of organic
controls for pests and diseases.
Question Why are my tomatoes falling off the plant before they are ripe?
Answer Norma, when fruit fall from the vine prior to fully ripening, it is usually an indication of a problem related to stress caused by inconsistent watering and a lack of calcium in the soil.
Tomatoes require a minimum of 1.5" of water per week. If you're not getting enough rain, you need to soak the plants very deeply twice per week. Avoid shallow watering, because this will cause the roots to reach for the surface rather than deep into the soil where they can draw in oxygen and nutrients.
Calcium is the primary nutrient that aids the ripening process. Most soils are lacking in calcium, so it does need to be supplemented. One trick is to add two teaspoons of Epsom salts to the soil when transplanting. You can also spray the plants every 10-14 days by dissolving one tbs. Epsom salts per gallon of water. Although Epsom salts is composed primarily of magnesium, it has been proven to reduce stress on tomato and pepper plants by aiding in the absorption of other nutrients, especially calcium.
Another tip is to carefully till in crushed eggshells around the perimeter of each plant. One other that I have heard of but never tried is to add three crushed Tums tablets around the base of the plants. Tums are high in
calcium and supposedly works quickly to resolve the problem.
Also, do not use fertilizers that are high in nitrogen. Many of today's synthetic fertilizers are extremely high in nitrogen. Nitrogen tends to promote lush foliage at the expense of producing healthy fruit. Tomatoes need a higher ratio of phosphorus and potassium in addition to the calcium for strong growth and exceptional taste. A good NPR ratio is 5-10-10. Phosphorus produces more blooms resulting in larger fruit at higher quantities; potassium promotes strong roots and healthy stems to hold the weight of the tomatoes as they mature.
Finally, be sure to mulch around the plants with a generous amount of straw or dried grass clippings. Mulch reduces stress by helping to retain moisture and cool the soil.
I hope this answered your question. Please write again if I can ever be of assistance.
