Garden Guide: 5 common tomato plant problems & how to fix them

Tomatoes are the easiest fruit to grow and have the biggest return on your investment. The plants are easy to grow from seed and can produce hundreds of flowers. They readily self-seed, so many gardeners end up growing delicious tomatoes for free. The taste is the best part about growing tomatoes in the garden. You can pick tomatoes fresh at peak ripeness when they taste their best.

However, these tomatoes can have issues. A little extra care will go a long way if you're serious about getting a lot of tasty fruits. Here are the top problems.

1. Blossom end rot

What does it look like?

Brown or black sunken spots at the bottom of the fruit.
More commonly seen in the first fruit of the season.

What causes it?

Calcium deficiency in the plant due to inconsistent watering.

How to fix it:

Water consistently to help the plant absorb calcium from the soil evenly. I use "drip irrigation" in my garden. Avoid letting the soil get too dry and water slowly.
Amend the soil with calcium (like crushed eggshells or lime) before planting or use a calcium-rich tomato fertilizer. Usually not a necessary step since the problem often resolves by itself as the roots become more established.

2. Leaf curling

What does it look like?

Leaves curling upward or inward, sometimes with a leathery texture.
More common on the new growth on the top parts of the plant.

What causes it?

Environmental stress from heat, wind or inconsistent watering. Herbicide chemicals like weed blocks can also cause this, or it could be a symptom of a problem like aphids or other sap-sucking pests.

How to fix it:

Adjust the growing conditions around your plant. You'll notice improvements on new growth, but it will not fix the leaves that have already curled.

3. Not enough fruit

What does looks like?

Flowers fall off without forming fruit.
Small fruit may start to grow but fail to develop.

What causes it:

Not enough pollination due to lack of bees or low airflow.
High humidity or very hot weather can reduce the potency of tomato pollen.

How to fix it:

Attract pollinators by planting flowers nearby such as marigolds or gently shake the plants to mimic natural pollination. Some gardeners use electric toothbrushes to maximize tomato pollination
Ensure good airflow by spacing plants properly and lightly pruning excess foliage. This will also reduce the risk for fungal issues like leaf spot and increase the sunlight available.

4. Tomato blight & virus

What does it look like?

Lower leaves turn yellow or brown, sometimes with spots or curling.
Eventually whole branches die off.

What causes it:

This could be a sign of disease like blight, nutrient deficiency, or if it's a "determinant tomato", it may have completed its full life cycle since these only fruit for a short time.

How to fix it:

Remove affected plants to prevent spread if it’s a disease. Always sanitize tools before and after with rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer or soapy water.
Feed the plant with a balanced fertilizer or compost to correct nutrient imbalances.

5. Tomato plant is too old

What does it looks like?

The plant suddenly stops getting taller or putting out new blossoms.
The plant may look healthy, but growth is halted.

What causes it:

This is natural for determinate varieties, which are bred to grow to a certain size, produce a lot of fruit and then stop. These varieties are particularly important for sauce.
In other cases, it may be due to extreme temperatures or nutrient issues.

How to fix it:

Check the variety: If it’s determinate and the plant has produced a lot of fruit, this is normal.
Ensure good nutrition: If it’s not determinate, give a boost of fertilizer (I use fish emulsion) and keep it watered well.

Understanding the cause behind common tomato problems can make all the difference in getting an incredible harvest. But even if you ignore this guide, you'll still likely be enjoying juicy tomatoes and that's what makes them so great.

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