What are you growing it in? It looks like clay.

Just growing it in the existing soil. We grew our 5,000 sq. ft. garden in it without any problems last year. The tomatoes went nuts and loved it. But what does the soil tell me about the leaves? I don't see the connection. Thanks!

let me amend my previous statement - of course I know that bad soil results in problems with tomatoes. but our soil is very fertile and plants love it. we're in the Kentucky bluegrass area and we have five acres on former pastureland. This was a cow pasture for at least 50 years before we moved here and tobacco before that. Everything we plant grows like mad and it's wonderful. So I don't think the soil is affecting the tomatoes. My romas in the same soil were big producers last year.

And all of the other tomato plants are doing great. Here's a wider shot of part of the garden. We haven't staked the tomatoes yet. That's this weekend's chore. And please ignore the weeds...I'm heading outside in a few minutes to help my husband with the rototiller and deal with that issue right now. :)

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Ok, this is just a semi-educated guess because, honestly I can't see the problem all that well in the photos even when I pull them up and magnify them - there just isn't enough detail or contrast with the background.

That said, what I CAN see appears to be located at the base of the new leaf growth, correct? That spells micro-nutrient deficiencies - possibly boron and/or zinc as both cause yellow-brown damage at the leaf stem joint. Unfortunately, you should not attempt to correct either without first getting a soil test done. Is it possible that you applied a lot of lime to the soil this spring before planting? If so, then the most likely problem would be a boron absorption problem as lime interferes with boron uptake. That problem will resolve itself as the plant adapts and matures.

Now why it would affect only this one variety I can't say except that these are romas so determinates so further along in growth cycle than indeterminate varieties. If they were mine, I would give them a good dose of fish oil emulsion because it is micro-nutrient rich. It can't hurt and should help.

The plants also show severe leaf roll which is normally indicative of inconsistent moisture problems. How do you water? Soaker hose or drip irrigation?

But I have to say - and please don't be offended - that like city_tomato noted, your photos do your soil no favors at all. ;) Same with me - pics of me don't do me any favors either. I can only hope your soil looks much better in person than it does in its photos. ;) And I'm very relieved to hear that it has been so productive for you in the past because my first reaction was the same - Good Heavens! what are they growing in and how have they survived?

The photo "looks like" soil badly in need of organic matter amending, moisture (why all the dry cracks), and plants sorely in need of some nice heavy mulching. Have you ever had a soil test done? Might be worth considering if for no other reason than all the salts that would have built up over the years from all the pasture manure and it would let you know which micro-nutrients might be lacking.

Hope you have a good gardening year.

Dave

oh, thanks so much, Dave, for your suggestions and advice. I really appreciate you taking the time to help. I didn't amend the soil with anything this year. I don't know why it looks so cracky and dry. We'd just gotten a 1/2" of rain about 12 hours earlier but the ground sucked it all up. We've had such a wet spring and yet, my garden looks parched. It's not really, if you dig down 1/2" you get moist soil. But yeah, the surface has that unattractive look going on.

What do you suggest I amend the soil with? I'm open to suggestions. Thanks!

I would start off this year with a good thick mulch. As Dave said, get a soil test before you put down any fertilizer just so you have a baseline on your soil content. Next year I would till in a good amount of compost and add what ever nutrients that your soil test indicates that you need. It sounds like you have a good soil to start with but it needs to have amemdments to keep it that way.

Im not going to lie... the soil conditions look about as good as that dying plant. I would start with the M & M theory of growing. Mulch and Micracle Grow. lol good luck

Kygirl,

Dave has some excellent advice. I have also linked a cover crop brochure I tug up from the Kentucky extension services. You ground does look desperate for amendments such as compost or a cover crop.

Here is a link about soil tests. I would pay extra to get additional micronutrients results from your extension office if they do such a thing--I pay about $20 for a very thorough soil test through a company call A and L Agricultural Labs. They have several offices throughout the country but I don't know about Kentucky.

You have such a nice big property--maybe you could get some free horse manure and bedding and start composting for next year.

Best of luck. We grow tomatoes down here in Florida in the worse soil you ever saw so don't worry about this year--just test the soil then fertilize, mulch , and water but I would work to improve my soil for next year.

Good Luck.

(soil test info)
http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/agr/agr57/agr57.pdf

Here is a link that might be useful: Kentucky cover crops

What do you suggest I amend the soil with? I'm open to suggestions. Thanks!

Well, compost if you have or can get it is best or can you get straw bales? If so, then I would do some sheet composting this year right there. Mulch down both sides of the rows of plants with a good 8" of it and wet it down good. (If you can't get straw - I can't here - use hay like I do.)

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That straw/hay will decompose in place over the summer and add a great deal of organic matter to the soil. It will also stabilize the moisture level around the plants, eliminate all that surface crusting/cracking, and help keep down weeds. Consider running soaker hose down each row under the mulch.

In the nice wide aisles you can either plant a low growing green manure crop like white clover or mustard or scatter a thinner layer of straw/hay, grass clippings if you have them, fall leaves as you get them later, any kind of garden clippings trimmings, pulled plants, etc. covered with more straw. Let all of it just compost in place. Then this fall after all the plants are pulled just till it all into the soil.

After you till, planting any kind of a cover crop or green manure crop would be a great idea. Till it in in early spring. You will be amazed at the difference in your soil by this time next year. ;)

Hope this helps. Happy gardening! ;)

Dave