skip to main content

Growing Tomatoes

Why are my tomatoes looking like they aren't healthy already?

9 years ago

Hello all,

With the temps in the 80's and no chance of a frost I recently put my tomatoes into the garden. However, the tomatoes already have some suspicious brown spots and some have browning edges. Any ideas as to what this may be so I can keep some healthy plants through the season?

Here are two pictures of what I described.

First is a picture of the brown spots on the leaves.

Second is a picture of the browning edges.

Thanks,

Sam

Featured Answer

hoosier40 6a Southern IN

9 years ago

The first pic is just sunburn and they have already survived that with minimal damage. The second pic looks like maybe some fertilizer burn? Did you recently fert them? Might have been too much nitrogen if you did. If you haven't fertilized it may be some environmental damage from sun or wind. Doesn't look serious in any case and they should be fine.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

goodground
9 years ago
I was thinking same thing. Sunburn & nute burn but of course more info is needed for accurate diagnosis.
sacampbell97 thanked goodground
Related Discussions
Why aren't my zucchini/squash plants growing?
Q
Comments (3)
transplanting can slow down squash, but I grow several every year and always transplant. Even my giant pumpkins get transplanted after it is 2 feet tall and wide. Transplant carefully and you should have no problem. It looks to me like maybe too cold and too wet. ? Where are you located? I am on the coast of British Columbia and this (last week of May or first week of June) is when I set my plants to ground from the green house. Don't fertilize until they show growth. If you can put a cover over them that will help to warm them up but DON"T burn them!. You need root growth in June. Taking off the first few flowers will let leaves and roots develop. Leaves and roots are what feed the fruit.
...See More
Why aren't my cabbages growing?
Q
Comments (8)
It was said "you still need to fertilize them, but with the beans there, "normal" fertilization (similar to what you would do for tomatoes, squash or peppers) will do." Unfortunately, even though it's widely believed that beans provide nitrogen for nearby plants, that's not so. The facts are these: The bean plants use the nitrogen captured in the root nodules to produce their beans. In other words, the nitrogen doesn't leak out of the nodules during the growing season. But it will "leak " into the soil if the plants are either cut to the ground prior to flowering, or turned into the soil prior to flowering.
...See More
My perrenials aren't doing good already..please help!
Q
Comments (40)
It is true. The gallardia is toast and needs to be tossed. Your soil appears to be compacted and gallardia needs freely draining soil. This means loose soil with tiny air pockets. If there is a Lowe's near you they sell bagged soil conditioner for less than $4. This is what most compacted soil needs as it contains small pieces of pine bark that keeps the soil from packing down again. It gets mixed into the top 6 inches of the soil after you have turned and loosened it with the garden fork or with a shovel. It is likely that tha water you gave it was more than it needed, but not lossening the soil was probably the biggest problem. A free soil test from your county agrigcultural agent would be a great place to start with any amendments that you may need. If I don't have a soil test and can't wait for one, I just use soil conditioner, a little lime, and bagged dry cow compost in small amounts dug thoroughly into the soil. You may not need lime if your soil is not acidic. I never fertilize new transplants. It is best to let them begin to grow slowly into their new soil. Most of us have made the same mistakes as you and learned from our mistakes. Thats why this forum is so helpful. Once you get the area dug and replanted, be sure to mulch, with shredded pine bark mulch if it is available. This mulch will break down and improve your soil also.
...See More
My tomatoes aren't growing
Q
Comments (17)
You are welcome Shar, and yes too many sweets this season. One of my favorites was a macadamia brittle that a nice gardener made and sent me. Delicious! I think Tom can agree with that. And for anybody that is a beginner to growing tomatoes in Florida: Sandy soil has no nutrients and maybe nematodes. Soils have to be heavily amended with organic materials. The easy way is to have a fast draining potting soil and grow them in pots. You can grow anything like this, heirlooms or hybrids. Some will produce more than others. Have a mix and try new varieties all the time, to see which ones do you prefer. Julia, you are in zone 9b like me, time to start seedlings, send me an email if you like to try some seeds that I had saved from previous seasons. Silvia
...See More
daniel_nyc
9 years ago
Sam, do you plan to mulch ?
sacampbell97 thanked daniel_nyc
sacampbell97
Original Author
9 years ago
Okay yep that sounds like what it could be, I did fertilize once about a week and accidentally did a full dose instead of half for the first time. Good to hear it's not anything worse but just wanted to check.

Daniel, I don't plan on mulching as I've never done it in the past in my raised bed. I just don't know how that would really work well with mulching and having to remove all the mulch in the winter and add more each spring. I've never thought about it and just use a fungicide to prevent disease. What would you recommend?
daniel_nyc
9 years ago
For
mulching I used both fabric and straw. Each
has its advantages and disadvantages.

In the
picture bellow you can see the fabric mulch. Happy tomatoes...
sacampbell97
Original Author
9 years ago
Very nice! I'll look into it!
goodground
9 years ago
I mulch all my fruits & veggies heavy with leaves. My garden eats them so fast I have to collect the bags around the neighborhood. I also use the grass i cut. Why would you need to remove the mulch? Organic mulch is great for the soil.
daniel_nyc
9 years ago
Grass clippings are ok, IF the grass was NOT sprayed with chemicals.
goodground
9 years ago
No spray or neighbors here :-)
Seysonn_ 8a-NC/HZ-7
9 years ago
Those plant are just fine. Give them some time to get a grab of the soil.
Yeah, some sunburn, as Hoosier already pointed out (browning, in your words) ... That is ok. Did you pour water on them, sometime during the day ?

I would also say " MULCH IT ! MULCH IT ! MULCH IT !
In my climate grass clippings get caked when dry and mushy when wet. I use small pine bark nuggets/mulch. NO ! NO! to those colored stuff.

Another step I suggest : FUNGICIDE ! FUNGICIDE ! FUNGICIDE !
Keep on trucking ! :-)

Related Stories

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crops: How to Grow Tomatoes

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant tomato seedlings in spring for one of the best tastes of summer, fresh from your backyard

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD The Kitchen of Tomorrow Is Already Here

By Mitchell Parker

A new Houzz survey reveals global kitchen trends with staying power

PLANTING IDEAS These Aren’t Your Grandparents’ Junipers

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Dislike junipers? Maybe it’s time to discover new varieties and new uses for this garden workhorse

LIFE You Said It: ‘It’s Different ... But Then, Aren’t You?’ and More Wisdom

By Becky Harris

Highlights from the week include celebrating individuality and cutting ourselves some decorating slack

COLOR 19 Bathrooms That Aren’t Afraid of Color

Bold hues and pretty patterns add a splash of fun to these personalized homes

DECORATING GUIDES Great New Looks for an Accessory You Already Own

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Give handrails and walls the same warmth as your toes by using blankets as decor

HEALTHY HOME 16 Ideas for a Healthy, Feel-Good Home

By Laura Gaskill

Making these small tweaks and bigger shifts at home can help you thrive everywhere you go

HEALTHY HOME 12 Ways to Set Up Your Kitchen for Healthy Eating

By Becky Harris

Making smart food choices is easier when your kitchen is part of your support team

HOUSEPLANTS 8 Essentials for Healthy Indoor Plants

Houseplants add so much to our homes — and can thrive when grown in the right conditions. Keep these tips in mind

HOUSEKEEPING Baking Soda: The Amazing All-Natural Cleanser You Already Own

Battle grime, banish odors and freshen clothes with this common nontoxic cupboard staple

Sponsored

RTS Home Solutions

3 Reviews

BIA of Central Ohio Award Winning Contractor

More Discussions

Has anyone heard of a storage tomato? Looking at Giallorosso di Crispi

4

"Purple" tomatoes?

4

What tools and materials for planting tomato

0