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Roswell, GA on Jun 20, 2012

gardening: tomato and pepper question

Hi there,

This is my first time attempting to grow tomatoes and peppers. I have a couple of issues I'm having that I could use some advice on. These are planted in full sun near my front door. It has great drainage and compost underneath the mulch.

I recently found some brown/yellow spots on the sides of my peppers. I believe it is sunspot, but wanted your opinions and advice. I was hoping for red peppers (i don't like green peppers)...is there a way to ripen them off the vine?

My tomato plant is producing nicely, but the plant is now showing signs of wilting and browning. I water almost every evening.

Help?

7 Comments

Walter Reeves Decatur, GA

your instincts are correct: the pepper has sunscald. You can still eat it: they taste fine anytime.
Hard to tell what's happening with the tomato plant. Make sure you aren't overwatering....soil should be moist but never soggy

on Jun 20, 2012 · Like 1
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

Donna, try putting your peppers in a closed paper bag. They should ripen that way.

on Jun 21, 2012 · Like 0
Marg C Middletown, NY

Try watering the tomatoes in the morning and see if that helps. Water only the ground and not the leaves.

on Jun 21, 2012 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

I agree with Marg...water the maters in the AM....this way they can use the recent water during the heat of the day, rather than the cool of the night.

on Jun 21, 2012 · Like 1
Donna S Roswell, GA

Cool...I'll try. hey, I was thinking of putting an "umbrella" over my peppers to shade them from further sun scald. Has anyone tried that?

on Jun 21, 2012 · Like 0
Tina B Victorville, CA

I think a little shade might be needed like your umbrella idea or even a shade cloth or sail.Watch out for HORN WORMS on those tomato plants, they will eat them up.

on Jun 21, 2012 · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

I think you should definitely try that, Donna. A Hometalk member in Florida hooked up a Bimini top over her vegetables to provide some protection:
http://www.hometalk.com/search?filter=bimini...

on Jun 22, 2012 · Like 0