Those first hot days in the summer outdoors — ah, remember the
sunburn? Your garden plants may know the feeling.

“Long, sunny days and hot temperatures can lead to sunburn on
some vegetable plants,” says Wayne McLaurin, an Extension Service
horticulturist with the University of Georgia College of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

One symptom of sunburn on fruit, he said, is large, white spots,
particularly on the southern side of the plant. Most of the
Solanaceae family — tomatoes, peppers and eggplants — are
especially susceptible.

Prevention is the Key

When plants are sunburned, you can’t rub a lotion on them and
make them all better. The only way to help is to prevent it long
before it could happen. And the only sure way to prevent sunburn
on plants, McLaurin said, is to grow a strong plant with good
leaf coverage.

This means growing or getting a good transplant, then planting it
right, giving it the proper nutrition to help make sure the
foliage provides ample cover for the fruits.

Leaves Vital for Growth

Leaves have an even more important function, he said. The plant’s
food for growth is manufactured in the leaf area.

There’s a critical point, McLaurin said, at which the plant goes
into a reproductive mode instead of a vegetative mode of growth.
But if it hasn’t made enough vegetative growth, it won’t bear
fruit as it should.

“In other words,” he said, “you must grow a plant before you can
expect fruit from it.”

Buy Bloomless Transplants

When you buy transplants, he said, don’t buy any plant that has
fruit or blooms. If you do, remove them before you plant.

Make sure your plants get enough water and fertilizer, too. That
keeps them healthy and reduces stress.

“With a little care,” McLaurin said, “you can prevent sunburn on
your favorite plants and ensure proper growth and fruiting as
well.”