Gardening

I had a really good harvest this year, probably close to 200 tomatoes and about 300 cherry tomatoes.

I only recently started getting bottom rot.

A couple of things I have noticed.

The tomato season (at least here in Austin, Texas) is coming to a close. The reason is because of soil temp.

Like all veggies and fruits, there is an optimum temp for each. And when the temp either gets too high or too low, the plant will begin to die.

I noticed that I got my bottom rot when the temps were consistently above 95 degrees. This would mean, even with shading cloth, that the soil temps are consistently warmer. The evening cooling (because of the consistent high temp) doesn't seem to have any effect on helping the fruit grow.

I could be a matter of watering too much but I don't think so, I have watered the same amount all season.

It might be because of the higher soil temp the interior of the fruit is being stressed, thus causing the rot.

I noticed that some of the tomatoes were ripe and some were in the mid ripe stage and both had the rot.

Which leads me to believe that it's not watering and more of a temp issue.

Just my two cents.