Tomatoes Rotting Before Ripe? 6 Causes and 8 Fixes To Know

I understand that tomatoes rotting before ripening can be a frustrating problem for gardeners. Shockingly, it’s caused by simple issues like inconsistent watering or diseases. But sometimes, problems like overwatering and poor circulation can also lead to this situation.

The good news? With a few easy fixes, you can stop the rot and grow beautiful, ripe tomatoes. So, don’t go anywhere – Let’s now read the causes and solutions that will keep your tomatoes healthy!

Key Points

• Blossom end rot is the most common reason for tomatoes rotting before ripening.
• High humidity encourages fungal growth that leads to rot.
• Overwatering can cause root rot and affect nutrient absorption.
• Poor air circulation creates damp conditions that promote rot.
• Pests like fruitworms damage tomatoes, allowing bacteria and fungi to enter.
• Fungal diseases like late blight can ruin tomatoes before they ripen.
• Regular, even watering helps avoid calcium deficiency and blossom end rot.
• Improving drainage and controlling humidity are key to preventing rot.

What Are the Causes Behind Tomatoes Rotting Before Ripening?

Tomatoes rot before ripening due to issues like:

• Blossom end rot
• Overwatering
• High humidity
• Poor air circulation
• Pests
• Fungal diseases.

Blossom End Rot: The Biggest Reason

Blossom end rot is the leading cause of tomatoes rotting before ripening. It appears as a dark, sunken area at the bottom. Note that it’s mainly due to a lack of calcium.

Watering irregularly is a big cause behind calcium deficiency. If you don’t water your plants regularly, the roots can’t take in the nutrients they need, including calcium.

Overusing nitrogen fertilizer is another problem. While nitrogen helps the leaves grow, too much of it can prevent calcium from reaching the fruit.

Even the soil’s pH can make a difference. If the pH is too high or too low, it can stop the plant from absorbing calcium properly.

High Humidity and Its Effects

Humidity plays a big role in tomato rotting. When the air has above 60 percent humidity level, it creates the perfect environment for fungi to grow on your plants. Fungus love damp conditions, so when it’s hot and humid, especially in greenhouses or tight spaces, tomatoes can rot more easily.

This happens because the moisture makes the skin of the tomato soft. The fungus can enter the skin easily and grow quickly. The tomatoes might not even get a chance to ripen before they rot.

In high humidity, you may notice fuzzy growths or spots on your tomatoes. These are signs that fungi are starting to take over. If you leave the plants in these conditions, the rot will spread, and you’ll lose a lot of your crop.

That’s not it.

According to the Ecological Technology Research Team, high humidity can invite pests. Therefore, you will also be dealing with aphids and spider mites​. When these insects attack in large numbers, the tomatoes will start to rot.

Overwatering: A Common Mistake

According to an MDPI article, overwatering leads to waterlogged soil, which can suffocate the roots. The roots need both air and water to work properly. When the soil is always wet, the plant can’t take in the oxygen it needs.

This weakens the plant. In fact, it makes tomatoes more vulnerable to diseases. The article Water, Irrigation, and Plant Diseases reveals that excessive watering spreads harmful pathogens. Such pathogens attack the tomato fruits and force them to rot.

Environmental and Experimental Botany Volume 224 has also described overwatering as a major issue. The reason? Well, waterlogged plants undergo physical, functional, and chemical adjustments. In some cases, tomatoes start to rot during this time.

You can tell if you’re overwatering if the leaves turn yellow or wilt. The fruit might also look waterlogged or crack open before it has a chance to ripen.

Poor Air Circulation: Why It Matters

Tomatoes need air to grow healthy and strong. When plants are too close together or have dense foliage, air can’t move around them properly. This creates a damp environment where rot can start.

Without good air circulation, moisture sticks to the leaves and fruit. This encourages fungi and bacteria (harmful pathogens) to grow. As a result, your tomatoes might rot before they even get a chance to turn red.

Poor air circulation is often a problem in greenhouses or gardens with limited space.

Pests: Tiny Creatures, Big Problems

Insects can be another cause of tomatoes rotting before they ripen. Some bugs, like tomato fruitworms or beetles, damage the fruit by creating tiny holes. These holes make it easy for bacteria and fungi to get inside the tomato, which leads to rotting.

Even a small bite from an insect can cause big problems for your tomato plants. You may also want to check out whether your tomato plants will live after being beaten by caterpillars.

All in all, if you see damaged fruit or holes in your tomatoes, pests are likely to blame. Insects can also spread diseases from plant to plant, making the problem worse.

To stop this, you can hand-pick pests off your plants or use natural pest control methods. Just make sure to catch the problem early before the pests spread too much and cause more damage.

Fungal Diseases: A Hidden Enemy

Fungal diseases, like late blight or anthracnose, are another reason why tomatoes rot before they ripen. These diseases spread quickly in wet, humid conditions and can infect both the leaves and the fruit.

Once the fungus gets inside the tomato, it can cause:

• Dark spots.
• Soft patches.
• Even make the entire fruit rot.

Fungal diseases are tricky because they can spread fast and ruin an entire crop if you’re not careful. Keep your plants dry and spaced out to help prevent fungal diseases from taking over.

What Fixes Tomatoes Rotting Before Ripe? (8 Solutions)

To stop tomatoes from rotting before they ripen, do these four things initially:

• Make sure to water consistently
• Improve drainage.
• Use mulch
• Provide good air circulation. 

Managing pests and controlling humidity levels can also help.

Moreover, applying fungicides and using calcium-rich fertilizers to avoid blossom end rot.

Watering Consistently

According to Scientia Horticulturae Volume 316, plants can suffer from both too much and too little water. So, remember that consistent watering is the most important step in fixing tomatoes that rot before ripening. Tomatoes need regular water to grow properly, but too much or too little can cause problems.

The key is to water deeply but not too often. Water your plants at the same time each day, if possible, and make sure the water reaches the roots.

When you water inconsistently, the roots struggle to absorb nutrients, especially calcium, which can lead to blossom end rot. Mulching can help maintain even moisture in the soil. This way, your plants won’t get too thirsty or too soggy.

Improving Drainage

Good drainage is crucial for preventing rot. If the soil doesn’t drain well, the roots can become waterlogged. It’s a highly undesirable situation, as it can lead to root rot and other issues. When water sits around the roots, the plant can’t breathe, and this weakens the entire system.

You can improve drainage around the root zone by adding organic matter to the plant’s soil. The top choice is compost, but you can use any organic matter.

Another way to help with drainage is by planting your tomato seedlings/plants in raised beds or containers. This keeps the roots above any water that might pool at the bottom of the soil.

You should also avoid planting tomatoes in heavy clay soil, which holds onto water too long.

Other ways to enhance soil drainage are:

• Mix sand or perlite to increase soil porosity.
• Create drainage holes in pots and containers.
• Install drainage pipes or gravel layers.
• Aerate the soil regularly to reduce compaction.
• Plant cover crops to improve soil structure.
• Mix in gravel or small stones to enhance water flow.

Using Mulch to Protect the Soil

Mulching is an excellent way to help keep the soil healthy and prevent tomatoes from rotting. When you spread mulch around your plants, it helps the soil retain moisture evenly. 

Mulch also protects the roots by keeping the soil cool, reducing the chance of overwatering.

There are different types of mulch you can use. Organic mulch, like straw, wood chips, or leaves, slowly breaks down over time, adding nutrients to the soil. This is great for the long-term health of your tomato plants.

According to the Chapter 10 of book Fundamentals of Weed Science (Fifth Edition), mulch also reduces weeds, which can compete with your tomatoes for water and nutrients.

So, by using mulch, you can create a more stable environment for your plants.

Improving Air Circulation Around Plants

Air circulation is key to preventing rot, especially in humid or overcrowded gardens. When the air doesn’t move around your plants, moisture can stay on the leaves and fruit, This leads to fungal infections and rot.

Improving airflow can help your plants stay dry. It reduces the risk of diseases that cause tomatoes to rot before they ripen.

One of the easiest ways to improve air circulation is by pruning your tomato plants. Remove any excess or lower leaves that are close to the ground, as they tend to trap moisture.

You should also space out your plants properly. Don’t plant them too close together, as this can create a dense canopy where air can’t flow freely.

Moreover, if you’re growing tomatoes in a greenhouse, use fans or vents to keep the air moving.

If your tomatoes are struggling, it’s important to protect them from sun damage as well. Here’s how to keep your plants from burning in harsh sunlight.

Controlling Pests Naturally

Pests can be a huge problem for tomatoes, but you don’t always need to use chemicals to get rid of them. Many natural methods can help control pests and keep your tomatoes from rotting.

For example, planting companion plants like marigolds can help repel harmful insects, while attracting beneficial bugs like ladybugs that eat pests.

Hand-picking bugs off your plants is another simple way to keep pests under control. It may sound tedious, but removing a few pests early can stop them from multiplying and damaging your entire crop.

You can also use natural insecticides, and the top choices are:

• Insecticidal soap.
• Neem Oil.

These are effective at killing pests but won’t harm your plants or the environment.

Keeping pests in check will prevent damage to your tomatoes and stop rot before it starts.

Controlling Humidity Levels

Managing humidity is very important, especially if you live in a humid climate or grow tomatoes in a greenhouse. When humidity levels are too high, it creates the perfect environment for disease-causing pathogens to grow, leading to rot.

To fix this, you need to keep the humidity levels under control around your plants.

If you’re growing tomatoes outside, watering early in the day helps the plants dry off before nightfall. You can also space your plants apart to allow better airflow, which helps reduce humidity.

In a greenhouse, using vents or fans can help control humidity levels. You can also avoid overwatering, which increases the moisture in the air.

Checking for Fungal Diseases Regularly

If you notice spots, mold, or dark patches on the leaves or fruit, it’s a sign that a fungal infection might be starting. Removing affected leaves or fruit as soon as you spot them can stop the disease from spreading.

Preventing fungal diseases starts with keeping your plants dry.

Mulch also helps by keeping soil-borne fungi from splashing onto the leaves during watering or rain.

If you do see signs of fungus, you can use fungicide sprays, but natural methods like pruning and mulching can go a long way.

Using Calcium-Rich Fertilizers

In my experience, one of the best ways to prevent blossom end rot is by giving your plants a steady supply of calcium. You can do this by using calcium-rich fertilizers or adding lime to the soil before planting.

Bone meal is another great source of calcium that can be mixed into the soil.

Even if your soil has enough calcium, the plants won’t absorb it if they don’t have consistent watering. That’s why it’s important to fix both the calcium levels and the watering habits at the same time.

You should also test your soil regularly to make sure it has the right balance of nutrients for your tomatoes.

That’s all.

If you’re fixing one problem in your garden, like rotting tomatoes, don’t forget to find out what’s causing holes in your Brussels sprouts too.

Conclusion

All in all, tomatoes rot before ripening because of blossom end rot, overwatering and pest infestations. Remember these tips:

• Water your tomatoes consistently, not too much or too little.
• Improve soil drainage by adding organic compost and using mulch.
• Check regularly for pests and remove them to stop damage early.
• Keep an eye on humidity levels and manage them to avoid fungal growth.

Now, you can not only protect your tomatoes from rotting, but also enjoy a thriving, productive garden. Happy growing!