Knowledgebase

Plants die in this area of the garden #877209

Asked July 14, 2024, 8:02 PM EDT

I have an area of my vegetable garden that has done poorly for several years. The plants will initially do well, by July they start to wilt and die. Tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes do the worst. Winter squash does ok, and garlic seems to do just fine. I have tried to fertilize with compost, water more, water less, with no improvement. I even tried avoiding planting tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes in this area for 3 years, but this year I tried tomatoes again and the same thing is happening. I did a soil test last year and it is attached. Please let me know if you have any thoughts. Thanks!

Ramsey County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thank you for writing.  I do not believe the problem is related to fertilizers.  Closeups of the stems and undersides of leaves would be more useful for assessing insects.
Frankly the pattern of injury looks most like herbicide drift from the use of herbicides upwind. 
https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/noticing-herbicide-drift-your-garden
https://gardenprofessors.com/catch-my-drift-herbicide-drift-curling-tomato-leaves-and-food-safety/
http://extension.msstate.edu/publications/herbicide-damage-tomatoes
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 July 15, 2024, 4:17 PM EDT

Loading ...