Recognizing Sunscald in Fruits and Vegetables

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And how to keep your harvest from frying on the vine.

There’s nothing quite like watching your summer garden burst with fruit—until you spot a big, pale patch on what should’ve been your perfect tomato. That’s sunscald, and it’s not just a cosmetic issue. In hot climates like Zone 9, it can turn beautiful produce into mush almost overnight. I’ve seen it happen most often during heat waves or after over-pruning, and it’s a bummer every time.

But the good news? It’s 100% preventable once you know what to look for and how to intervene. Let’s talk about what causes sunscald, how to spot it early, and how to protect your fruits so they reach the kitchen in full glory.

🌞 Quick Facts: Sunscald in the Garden

🔎 Category	🌿 Details
🥵 Caused By:	Excessive direct sun on exposed fruits—especially after pruning or leaf loss
🍅 Most Affected:	Tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, eggplants
🌤️ Most Common In:	Zones 8–11, especially during mid to late summer
📅 Critical Period:	When fruits are developing and ripening
⚠️ Early Signs:	Pale, whitish, or yellowish spots on the sun-facing side of the fruit
🚫 Can You Eat It?	Only if spots are superficial—not mushy, cracked, or rotting
🛡️ Prevention:	Provide partial shade, maintain leaf coverage, mulch, avoid over-pruning
💧 Related Issues:	Heat stress, uneven watering, blossom end rot (can occur alongside)

What Is Sunscald?

Sunscald is a physiological disorder—not a disease—that happens when developing or ripening fruit is exposed to intense sunlight and heat. Think of it like a sunburn for your veggies. Without enough leaf cover to protect them, the fruit’s skin overheats and begins to break down, usually on the side that gets the most direct sunlight.

It often affects:

• Tomatoes: Pale, blister-like patches that turn papery and then rot
• Peppers: White, soft areas that collapse or discolor as fruit ripens
• Squash & Cucumbers: Light-colored sunken spots, followed by browning or cracking

How to Recognize Sunscald Early

Here’s what to look for, broken down by crop:

Veggie	Symptoms	Progression
🍅 Tomatoes	Pale yellow or white patches, leathery feel	Becomes sunken and gray, then soft and moldy
🌶️ Peppers	White, soft blotches on one side	Collapses or turns brown as fruit ripens
🥒 Cucumbers	Light areas on upper side of fruit	May crack or develop a sour smell
🎃 Summer Squash	Pale spots on exposed curve	Turns mushy or develops surface rot

⚠️ Important: Sunscald looks different than blossom end rot, which starts at the bottom of the fruit. Sunscald usually appears on the side facing the sun.

What Causes It?

• Excessive heat + direct sunlight, especially in Zone 9 summers
• Over-pruning, especially removing too many leaves from the upper canopy
• Sudden leaf loss from pests or disease (like blight or hornworms)
• Lack of mulch, which stresses the plant and accelerates ripening
• Under-watering, which makes fruits more vulnerable to damage

Prevention Tips That Actually Work

✅ Keep leaf coverage intact
The number one way to prevent sunscald is by keeping enough healthy leaves to shield developing fruit. Avoid heavy pruning during peak sun hours.

✅ Use shade cloth or row covers
In extreme heat (95°F+), draping lightweight shade cloth over your plants can drastically reduce scald risk.

✅ Mulch deeply
Mulch helps regulate soil moisture and root temp—keeping the whole plant healthier and better able to protect its fruit.

✅ Water deeply and consistently
Stress from dry spells can make fruits more susceptible. Stick to a regular watering schedule, especially in raised beds or containers.

✅ Strategic companion planting
Tall, leafy plants like sunflowers or corn can offer dappled shade to peppers or tomatoes.

✅ Harvest early and finish indoors
Tomatoes and peppers picked at the “breaker” stage will ripen beautifully inside without the risk of sunscald or cracking.

Can You Still Eat Sunscalded Veggies?

Sometimes! Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

Severity	Safe to Eat?	What to Do
Superficial discoloration	✅ Yes	Cut off affected area, use fresh or in sauce
Sunken but firm	⚠️ Maybe	Use quickly, remove all affected parts
Soft, mushy, moldy	❌ No	Compost or discard

👩‍🍳 Mildly scalded tomatoes still make great sauce. Just slice off the damage and simmer them down!

Final Tips

Sunscald is one of those garden problems that’s easy to miss until it’s too late—but now that you know what to look for, you can step in early and save the harvest. A little shade and steady watering go a long way, and the payoff is worth it when your tomatoes come off the vine flawless and full of flavor.

🌿 Want a printable sunscald checklist? Download it here!
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