Tomatoes are some of the most common and rewarding crops to plant in a home garden. Their fast-growing frames and their rewarding yield make them a staple of summertime, and they can thrive in most climates. Whether you’re slicing them for sandwiches and salads, canning them as pasta sauce or salsa, or getting creative with your recipes, homegrown tomatoes quickly take your cuisine to the next level. 

But some years, tomatoes don’t come easy. If you’re experiencing a tricky tomato season, start here to troubleshoot and treat your plants effectively. 

Common Tomato Troubles

Every garden is unique, but these four tomato troubles are common. Here are their symptoms and fixes!

Blossom‑End Rot

What to look for: If your early tomatoes (green or barely coloring) develop a light tan patch at the bottom (blossom end), you may be dealing with blossom-end rot. It will quickly turn dark brown or black, with a sunken and leathery texture. Often fruits are stunted or plants are slow to develop because calcium isn’t reaching the fast‑growing tissue.

How to treat it: Once a tomato develops blossom-end rot, it can’t be saved, but the plant can! You’ll need to balance the calcium levels in your soil and give your plants consistent moisture. Try these steps:

• Check your soil pH (ideal is between 6 and 7)

• Add mulch around your tomato plants

• Feed your plants with natural and non-toxic plant food like BugHut’s Nutrition

• Keep your soil evenly moist

Early Blight 

What to look for: Are you finding brown or black spots on the older leaves at the base of your tomato plants? Look for “bull’s‑eye” rings, they are a sign you’ve got early blight (fungal leaf spots) on your hands. Leaves might turn yellow and drop, and stems may also have dark lesions. This fungal blight can decrease the yield of your plant as the fungus spreads upward. 

How to treat it: Focus on getting rid of the impacted leaves and making room for air to circulate throughout your tomato plants. Follow these steps:

• Remove and dispose of affected lower leaves 

• Prune your plants to allow air circulation 

• Prevent soil‑splash by adding mulch to the base of your plants or switch to a drip irrigation system 

• Apply a natural antifungal treatment like BugHut’s Fungicide

Pests

What to look for: Pests are often easier to identify: if you can’t spot the bugs themselves, you might see chewed leaves or large holes, missing fruit, sticky residue or curled foliage. Giant green hornworms eat foliage and fruit, and aphids cluster on new growth.

How to treat it: Treating tomato plants once pests have made their way into your garden can be frustrating, but there is hope!

• Inspect your plants every other day and hand‑remove large pests like hornworms 

• Spray your plants with BugHut’s organic and nontoxic Insect Control

• Prune your plants and keep debris out of your garden to discourage infestation

Sunscald 

What to look for: If you’re noticing pale white, yellow or gray patches on your tomato fruits or leaves, you might have sunscald (also called fruit sunburn) on your hands.

How to treat it: Although regular pruning is an important step in keeping your tomato plants healthy, leaves and tomatoes can suffer from sun damage when shade is removed. Protect your plants by following these tips.

• When pruning, leave enough leafy canopy for shade

• Use shade cloth over your tomatoes during hot afternoon sun if you live in a very hot, dry climate is very hot

• Plant taller plants and flowers near your tomatoes to provide natural shade

Even though it’s not always easy, growing tomatoes in your own garden is a joy, especially when it comes time to harvest them! Fortunately, many of the most common tomato problems can be treated with the steps described in this guide.

For all-natural plant protection and nourishment that won’t compromise your local ecosystem, your pollinators, or the health of your pets and family, use BugHut! Get all you need for thriving tomatoes in the Ultimate Kit.