The importance of Calcium for Tomatoes & Peppers

It’s funny how often we hear commercials for women’s facial creams that promote increased cell structure, volume and elasticity. This is what’s sold as needing improvement for your most  youthful skin. Well, let me tell you; what Oil of Olay does for skin, calcium does for your Tomatoes and Peppers.

Scientifically, calcium shows significant effect on the mechanical properties of artificial cell wall materials, making them more extensible. So, what does that mean? Imagine this; what is more resilient to damage, a taunt, flexible surface or one that is weak from poor nutrition, lack of nutrients or age? I’m talking about you, late nights watching Netflix eating junk food….. Remember when you could wake up looking refreshed after being out all night? Well it’s that – but for your plants.

Adding calcium can be done in a number of ways. Bone meal adds phosphorus and calcium to the soil. It’s available in granular form for a slow release, and a powder form can be dissolved in water for a fast-acting fertilizer.  A plant food such as Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed Tomato, Fruit & Vegetable Plant Food contains calcium, micronutrients & added organic ingredients, to nourish above and below the soil. The added calcium helps form stronger cell walls, producing better quality and longer-lasting fruits and vegetables. In both methods Calcium absorption problems can be prevented by mulching the soil around the tomato plants when it is damp, using straw, plastic or newspapers to keep the soil moisture level consistent. Do this after applying your calcium for best results.

If you are seeing signs of blossom end rot, weak stems, too much leaf with meager fruit, then calcium might just be the solution.