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Owensboro, Ky.

Tomato plants set out in garden. Lots of rain lately. Leaves yellowing. What should I do? Do they need nitrogen? All help appreciated. Peace Wayne

4/30/2005 9:07:22 AM

Follansbee, Wv

Were they properly hardened off? If you could post a pic, I might be able to help you. Tomatoes don't like wet feet. They prefer to stress for water a little before getting a drink (until fruit set, then constantly even moisture is needed). My first guess is too much water, and they should recover when it dries up. Depending on how the plants are yellowing, it may be something else, hence a pic would really be helpful.

4/30/2005 10:06:58 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Thanks Monty, plants were hardened off...3 weeks or more in cold frame...plants 12" or a little more when put into garden. Have had a lot of rain so "wet feet" is prbly the cause. Yellowing seems to be creeping up from the bottom. Sorry no pic possible...no camera. Peace Wayne

4/30/2005 9:08:16 PM

Follansbee, Wv

It seems a little early in the year for the two most likely suspects, Fusarium and Verticillium. Are there any lesions on the stems or leaves? Have you noticed any brown or necrotic spots on the leaves? If it is just a general pale yellowing, with no lesions, it's probably wet feet, and they should recover. If the yellowing is severe, and or brown lesions or brown streaking of the stems and leaves is present you may have a disease. Check all stems and leaves carefully. Pay particular attention to the undersides of the leaves for small brown/black spots. What does the new foliage look like? Is it green and healthy?
A lack of nitrogen usually causes the entire plant to yellow evenly, so I doubt that is the problem.
Again, give them a good hard look, and let me know what you find. Also look for aphids. BTW, what kind of tomatoes are these?

5/1/2005 9:23:54 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

How cold is your soil?

5/1/2005 6:19:50 PM