Question
I live in north-central Alberta.  I have bell pepper plants in a very sunny location but it was transplanted in an area of the plot with poor drainage (big mistake).  The buds of the peppers have started to fall off. I was saddened to see the first pepper to form fall off the plant and then the flowers. Does this have to do with the drainage, getting too much moisture or something else? What can I do?

Answer
Lisa:

Peppers do not like a lot of water. I think that you are correct that the poor drainage is the cause. Water tends to quickly dilute the fertilizer and washes it away before there is time to react with the plant roots.

The blossom and bud drop is indicitive of poor nutrition. Try to do the best you can to control the water. Might pile up dirt around the plants to reduce this proble.

You can also try spraying with a good plant hormone.

Please let me know how things work out.

Best wishes.

Don