Calcium Deficiency in Organic Vegetable Gardens

You may grow your own vegetables for many reasons: to avoid chemicals on our food, to save money, to reduce your carbon footprint, or simply because it brings you happiness to be able to provide for yourself and your family. Just like people, plants can have nutrient deficiencies that cause them not to grow as well.

Calcium deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies found in garden soils. If not treated, it can affect the growth, appearance, and health of your vegetables. The cause is usually the inability of the plant roots to carry calcium to the growing parts. Healthy roots start with healthy soil, so making sure you start with the healthiest soil possible will help.

Still, not all soils have sufficient calcium naturally. When that is the case, you will have to supplement with natural calcium to avoid deficiency.

Calcium Deficiency Symptoms in Vegetables

Calcium deficiency symptoms in organic vegetable garden plants is very noticeable, but may be misdiagnosed, as some symptoms, such as browning of young leaf margins and leaf curling, can also be associated with other deficiencies and diseases. However, if these early symptoms are not treated, it can lead to the death of the terminal bud and root tips.

A very common and easily recognizable symptom of calcium deficiency is blossom end rot, which usually shows itself on peppers and tomatoes. Blossom end rot begins with a decayed brown spot on the blossom end of the fruit. Sometimes, not all the fruit is affected. Feeding with a fertilizer too high in nitrogen can also cause blossom end rot.

Calcium deficiency in Brussels sprouts and cabbage causes internal browning. On celery it shows as the central leaves being stunted.

Calcium deficiency in carrots manifests as “Cavity Spot”, somewhat oval rotting spots that become craters.

Adding Calcium to Your Vegetable Garden

Crushed eggshells are actually a very good treatment for calcium deficiency, and works well when you only have a few plants to treat. The eggshells should be rinsed, dried, and crushed very finely, then worked into the soil to a depth of about 2 inches.

For a larger garden, or more vegetable plants, calcium can be added in another form. If your soil is acidic, the most common additive is Lime. There are several forms of lime that can be used, so you should research and use the kind that is best for your needs.

For alkaline soils, you should use Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O.[3]), commonly called Gypsum, in order not to further raise the pH of the soil.

Always follow label directions, as adding too much lime can actually be just as bad as not adding enough. Your local extension service can provide you with free or low cost soil testing, which can tell you the exact rate needed.

Organic gardening is healthy for you, your family, and the environment, and can help reduce your carbon footprint. Knowing how and when to diagnose and treat nutrient deficiencies can make your organic garden experience more fruitful and satisfying.