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tomato plants and big weed #873673

Asked June 18, 2024, 5:14 PM EDT

Tomato plants have strange looking leaves at top. Can you identify whats wrong and how to help. Plus big plant I think is a weed. Can you tell me what and if so. Is tomato plant problem too much rain??

Ramsey County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thank you for writing.
Those peculiar leaves look like herbicide drift in which a weed killer sprayed on other plants formed a mist that blew over the tomato plants. 
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/protecting_tomatoes_from_herbicide_drift

Then big plant is motherwort. https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/motherwort  It is perennial but it has shallow roots arranged in a small rootball. Pull it out before it seeds.  Use a trowel to improve getting every last bit or root.  Immediately bag and send away.  Do NOT put it on your compost pile.
Steve Miles, Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I am a human being, not a bot nor AI). I am an avid gardener but am not a degreed or certified horticulturist or arborist. I am happy to receive follow-up questions if my responses are incomplete or unclear.  This is the University of MN' garden soil testing service.  https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden This is guidance on how to find a tree expert.  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a wonderful place to see and learn about plants that grow in Minnesota. https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum Replied June 18, 2024, 7:11 PM EDT
on tomato plants can we take off top part of tomato plants and any fruit is it safe to eat??  I know this happened when neighbor had their lawn sprayed by lawn care company.  Or do we need to take plants out and replant??
thank you for advise

On Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 06:11:07 PM CDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied June 19, 2024, 11:26 AM EDT
Your plants are safe. You can cut off the tops. Your neighbor's lawn company is unprofessional in allowing this to happen. Your neighbor might benefit from investigating if the lawn is being over treated.
Here is some information.
https://extension.umn.edu/lawn-care/lawn-weeds
Steve Miles, Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I am a human being, not a bot nor AI). I am an avid gardener but am not a degreed or certified horticulturist or arborist. I am happy to receive follow-up questions if my responses are incomplete or unclear.  This is the University of MN' garden soil testing service.  https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden This is guidance on how to find a tree expert.  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a wonderful place to see and learn about plants that grow in Minnesota. https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum Replied June 19, 2024, 2:32 PM EDT

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