Tomato Time

If the temperature drops into the 30's, tomatoes will need to be protected. First, water the soil well to hydrate the tomato plant and apply a 2-inch layer of mulch to lock in moisture. Around sundown, apply frost cloth and remove in the morning before the sun comes up. The cage will provide good support to create a "tent", keeping the frost cloth off the leaves of the plant. If the plant is taller than the cage, then use any stake to elevate the frost cloth over the top leaves and stems. If the tomato plant has frost damage, make sure to inspect them carefully and remove frost-damaged leaves. Using a pruner or pinching with fingers to cut the leaves off up to the healthy part of the plant.

Blossom drop can be caused by fluctuating temperatures, but most often is caused by a Calcium deficiency. Adding Gypsum or Bone Meal at the time of planting and mid-way through the growing cycle (6 weeks, or so) will prevent this from happening. You can also use all natural Rot-Stop Tomato Blossom End Rot Spray to quickly add Calcium. Spray from below, up into the open flowers and onto the leaves, as well. While you can't control the weather, you can help prevent blossom drop by keeping your tomato well-watered and keeping them on a consistent fertilizer program.

This is called blossom end rot and is caused by lack of calcium or dry conditions. Adding Gypsum or Bone Meal at the time of planting and mid-way through the growing cycle (6 weeks, or so) will prevent this from happening. Apply all natural Rot-Stop Tomato Blossom End Rot to add calcium and spray on the plants.

This is caused by inconsistent watering and is common in dry weather. Especially when it's hot, be sure to keep your tomatoes well-watered on a schedule.

These are called tomato hornworms and they are hungry! They quickly eat foliage and damage fruit. It's important that you treat your tomatoes right away with Bonide BT Thuricide. It's an organic insect spray that controls garden pests while being bird-safe and won't harm beneficial insects. Note that this will not kill the caterpillars immediately. It takes 2-3 days for them to die. Picking them off works, too! Be sure to use all spray remedies early in the morning, or on a cloudy day, and not in the heat of the day to prevent any potential leaf burn.

That substance is called "honeydew". Look at the underside of the leaves or on the stems and you'll likely find tiny white, green or yellow bugs. These are aphids and are sometimes so small you can't see them with a human eye. Aphids suck on the foliage and stem tissues. They secrete a sticky, sugary substance called honeydew that falls on the leaves below. To get rid of aphids apply all natural Bonide Captain Jack's Deadbug Brew. Aphids can also be prevented or eliminated with beneficial insects like ladybugs. Ants on your plants are another indicator that aphids are near! They shepherd piercing sucking insects like aphids to harvest the sugary honeydew that they secrete. Sometimes, a black powdery substance grows on the sticky honeydew. Organic Bonide Copper Fungicide can be used to get rid of it. Be sure to use all spray remedies early in the morning, or on a cloudy day, and not in the heat of the day to prevent any potential leaf burn.

Leaf roll is caused by heat or the soil being too wet. While tomatoes like consistent water they don't want to be in soggy soil. You'll typically see leaf roll on mature leaves at the bottom of your tomato but it can affect up to 75% of the plant. While the leaves don't look good it's not damaging your tomato production. Just make sure you're not overwatering. Another cause could be a tent caterpillar. These larvae create a silky "tent" above themselves as they reside on the underside of the leaves. Over time, the leaf curls around the larvae. Unfurl the leaf and if you see a silky web, then that is the evidence of their presence. An application of Bonide Captain Jacks is the best solution for these. Be sure to use all spray remedies early in the morning, or on a cloudy day, and not in the heat of the day to prevent any potential leaf burn.

You usually see this first on old, mature leaves. You'll see brown spots that develop a yellow right around them and usually cause the entire leaf to yellow and then brown before dropping from the tomato plant. This is caused by a fungus called Alternaria solani that usually lives in the soil. Treat with all natural Bonide Tomato & Vegetable 3-in-1. Increase your drying out periods in between waterings to dry out the soil a bit more. Fungi like wet soil conditions and this can slow down the infestation. Since the fungus lives in the soil avoid planting tomatoes, peppers or eggplant in that spot next year allowing the soil time to refresh. Be sure to use all spray remedies early in the morning, or on a cloudy day, and not in the heat of the day to prevent any potential leaf burn.

This is caused by verticillium wilt. The mature, bottom leaves will develop yellow spots that will spread and you'll start to see the leaves veins turn brown. They affected leaves will eventually turn brown and drop and the disease progresses up the stem ultimately stunting the plant. Many tomato varieties are bred to be verticillium wilt resistant since once it effects a plant there's not a cure. The fungus lives in the soil so be sure that you're rotating your crops and refreshing your soil each year.

This is powdery mildew and is easy to identify. The tomato plant leaves will have white spots that may also extend to the stems. It's a type of fungus that is caused by lack of air flow; it's common when growing tomatoes in a greenhouse, but also often appears in coastal areas or in all areas later in the season. The best solution for this is Organic Bonide Copper Fungicide Spray. All natural Bonide Tomato & Vegetable 3-in-1 is a good preventative for this fungus. Be sure to use all spray remedies early in the morning, or on a cloudy day, and not in the heat of the day to prevent any potential leaf burn.

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