Question
I read your reply about blossom end rot on green peppers.  I have a square foot garden - this is my first year and there's plenty of humus and peat in it.  While my bell peppers have had some brown patches on the bottom and I have a plum tomato plant with a couple tomatoes with this same problem, some of my peppers have dark patches that seem to start small on the side of the pepper.  It spreads over the wide of these peppers and becomes rotted.  These peppers are banana peppers and red anaheim.  Do you think this is the same problem?  I read about another problem caused by a tiny shiny fly but see no maggots on the inside of the pepper when I cut it open.  Any help would be appreciated.  I have truly enjoyed growing my own vegetables and want to learn from this year's experience.

Thanks, JoAnne

Answer
Joanne, I doubt you have an insect problem. If you did, the peppers would show spotted damage.

Fruit rot is usually caused by either too much water or poor drainage. Peppers need no more than 1.5" of water per week. If your soil is not draining properly, that could be the cause. The fact that you are using humus and peat tells me that the soil composition is not the issue, but it may be the depth of the soil.

I always recommend raised beds to avoid these types of problems. I use cedar 2X12s to support the bed. Cedar does not rot, so it will last many years. I purchase 8 foot lengths and structure the beds 8'X4'. This allows for easy access into the bed, and is perfect for the square foot method. The 12" depth is ideal for root crops and for giving the other plants plenty of room for root development. It also provides great drainage.

So my advice is to build the beds up to at least 12" next spring. Supporting them with the cedar 2X12s will hold the soil in place. Continue using organic amendments to build up the beds, and next year should provide better results.

In the meantime, limit watering as outlined above. Also, mulch the soil with straw or compost to help hold in the moisture and cool the soil.

Finally, purchase an organic fungicide to prevent and treat any possible fungus disease. I personally use a product called Soap Shield. You can find this product on the web at a company named Gardens Alive. They specialize in organic products.

Good luck, and please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike