Tomato problem

[vette-kid]

Any idea what's going on with these? This is at my parents place, zone 9a. To hot against the shed?

 

[Chuck]

Thats what it looks like. What is all that white stuff on the ground?

 

[vette-kid]

Thats what it looks like. What is all that white stuff on the ground?

...sand. they have very sandy soil. Although the bananas are doing very well in it.

 

[Chuck]

...sand. they have very sandy soil. Although the bananas are doing very well in it.

Then they are starving for water and nutrients.

 

[vette-kid]

Hmm, it is worse there than other areas of the yard. Well look at moving them.

 

[Chuck]

Hmm, it is worse there than other areas of the yard. Well look at moving them.

If it were me, instead of moving them, I would mulch heavily and give them more water and fertilizer

 

[roadrunner]

Thats what it looks like. What is all that white stuff on the ground?

Ha, Ha...Chuck you never been to Florida, huh

That's what we have down here, sand, sand and more sand.

That's exactly why I heavily mulch with various "ingredients" and compost; to add organic matter to our very sandy, barren soil. My entire yard where I now have a very green and lush garden use to look like that and not a single worm could live in it.

 

[Chuck]

I am not talking about mixing compost, mulch and other ingredients INTO the soil which is great. I am saying to also lay it on TOP of the soil around the plants to reduce the heat and evaporation. It is much hotter here than where you are and when I place mulch around the base of the plants out to the drip line it drops the soil temperature at least 30F. I admit I don't have sand but the principle is the same. Insulation. About 3 or 4 inches worth of mulch, organic pelleted fertilizer mixed into it and I bet you will be amazed at the difference.

 

[vette-kid]

They are going to give that a try

 

[Jan]

Would it be better if they grew them in large pots in bought compost.?

 

[Chuck]

Would it be better if they grew them in large pots in bought compost.?

It would be better to move them away from that metal building but it is too late to do that now.

 

[Jan]

That must reflect a lot of heat.

 

[vette-kid]

Would it be better if they grew them in large pots in bought compost.?

That or a raised bed I think is the plan for next year.