Looking for some help and advice. Short story: Last year my tomatoes and peppers all were healthy before being transplanted. Then planted out and all ...
Knowledgebase
Vegetable garden issues #867492
Asked May 07, 2024, 8:21 PM EDT
Looking for some help and advice. Short story: Last year my tomatoes and peppers all were healthy before being transplanted. Then planted out and all were extremely slow to grow, some died off, almost no production from anything. But in another smaller bed I have 15 feet away, it was business as usual. I do nothing different. This year it's looking very similar to start unfortunately. Soil test results and pictures attached. Further details below.
I've had a vegetable garden in the same spot for about 8 years. Always dress with homemade scrap compost, never use any kind of fertilizer. Never had any issues, garden is usually pretty prolific with all my plants. This year amount 2 months ago I added some 21-0-0 fertilizer per my soil test recommendations as well. Well before I transplanted which was about 10 days ago
Baltimore CountyMaryland
Expert Response
Thanks for sharing the soil sample results. According to the analysis, you only need to apply nitrogen to this area, which you have done.
It appears that the plants are suffering from insect, fungal, and possible weather stress. Do you grow your own transplants from seeds? If so, be sure that you are hardening them off prior to putting them outdoors.
The damage to the tomatoes is probably being caused by flea beetles which love young tender tomato plants and I can actually see a critter on the plant in these photos that looks like a flea beetle: https://horticultureforhomegardeners.ca/2021/01/29/flea-beetle-damage-to-tomato-plants/ The links above share good management techniques for flea beetles. Mulches and removing the damaged leaves can make the plant look a little better.
Once the flea beetles are eliminated or reduced the tomatoes will benefit from sunshine and time to get aclimated to their new home.
Thank you for the feedback! I was also wondering if the excessive P numbers were possibly causing them to die off? And if that was the case, would digging them up, filling holes with fertilizer free top soil, and replanting be a viable option?
The high phosphorus level in the soil will not cause in harm to the plant, it just means that there is plenty available for it to take up when it needs it. It is very common to see these elevated levels in vegetable garden plots. Happy Gardening!
