Vegetable garden section where plants die - Ask Extension
I have a section of my vegetable garden where plants tend to die after 1-2 months. Plants like tomatoes and peppers look good initially but then they ...
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Vegetable garden section where plants die #928309
Asked April 13, 2026, 6:24 PM EDT
I have a section of my vegetable garden where plants tend to die after 1-2 months. Plants like tomatoes and peppers look good initially but then they start to wilt and eventually shrivel up. I've tried watering more often and less often with the same result. I've gotten garlic to grow there, but most other plants die. Any ideas what I can do? I did a soil sample a couple years ago which is attached. Thanks!
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
We sometimes hear from other gardeners with the same problem--apparently healthy vegetable plants grow a while, then consistently decline and die in a portion of the growing area.
This suggests that growing conditions in the affected area are different than elsewhere in the plot.
We can't detect anything in the soil test results that account for the problem you have described. This might be because soil samples are usually collected from various parts of the plot, so the results are an average of the plot as a whole and not specific to the problem area. Still, it's unlikely that soil test results specific to the area will explain what's different there.
Other variables to consider are shade, moisture levels, pests, and disease.
The roots of trees and shrubs often grow into vegetable plots taking the lion's share of moisture and nutrients. A few such as black walnut may produce chemicals that suppress the growth of nearby plants. Tree roots and shade can affect adjacent plant growth at a considerable distance (30-50 feet).
Because your garden soil is rated "coarse," (probably sandy), frequent watering may be needed to get good results. Using mulch helps retain soil moisture and maintain organic matter content.
Do you know the history of the soil in the problem area? Contaminated soil can inhibit plant growth long after the contamination occurred.
Soil-borne pests and diseases can also kill vegetable plants or inhibit their growth. Among these are nematodes, wire worms, Pythium, Fusarium, and Verticillium. Crop rotation helps reduce the effects of soil pests and disease.
Timely nitrogen application according to the soil test recommendations will be helpful, but applying too much at the wrong time can have the opposite effect.
When what's affecting the plants can't be determined, it may be best to build raised beds in the problem area and grow vegetables in them.
The following publication may contain growing tips specific to some of the vegetable that haven't done well.
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/vegetable-garden-hints/
This suggests that growing conditions in the affected area are different than elsewhere in the plot.
We can't detect anything in the soil test results that account for the problem you have described. This might be because soil samples are usually collected from various parts of the plot, so the results are an average of the plot as a whole and not specific to the problem area. Still, it's unlikely that soil test results specific to the area will explain what's different there.
Other variables to consider are shade, moisture levels, pests, and disease.
The roots of trees and shrubs often grow into vegetable plots taking the lion's share of moisture and nutrients. A few such as black walnut may produce chemicals that suppress the growth of nearby plants. Tree roots and shade can affect adjacent plant growth at a considerable distance (30-50 feet).
Because your garden soil is rated "coarse," (probably sandy), frequent watering may be needed to get good results. Using mulch helps retain soil moisture and maintain organic matter content.
Do you know the history of the soil in the problem area? Contaminated soil can inhibit plant growth long after the contamination occurred.
Soil-borne pests and diseases can also kill vegetable plants or inhibit their growth. Among these are nematodes, wire worms, Pythium, Fusarium, and Verticillium. Crop rotation helps reduce the effects of soil pests and disease.
Timely nitrogen application according to the soil test recommendations will be helpful, but applying too much at the wrong time can have the opposite effect.
When what's affecting the plants can't be determined, it may be best to build raised beds in the problem area and grow vegetables in them.
The following publication may contain growing tips specific to some of the vegetable that haven't done well.
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/vegetable-garden-hints/
