On a plant by plant basis (rather than pasture/compost/garden level), I use powdered milk to prevent blossom end rot on my tomatoes. Several years back, my cousin asked an old farmer at the general store (still have one where he lives) how he always has such beautiful tomatoes. The answer was ‘powdered milk’. I now put a couple of tablespoons in the hole along with some Tomato Tone, sprinkle a little dirt so the roots aren’t in direct contact, then plant my little tomato. I have had no problems since I’ve been doing this (neither has my cousin). Evidently the calcium in powdered milk is in a form that the tomato plants can easily “take up”.
When I first heard about the milk, it was a bit past mid-summer, the tomato plants were already big & already having issues. Since it was way past planting, I mixed the powdered milk with water & gave the plants a good drink - that definitely improved the situation - anything that already didn’t have blossom end rot never got it. My cousin, for his large plants, will sprinkle the powdered milk in the soil around the plant, mix it in a bit & let it water in, either with rain or if he has to water the garden.
isn’t buying all that powdered milk a little spendy?...are there anymore alternatives?