Marianne's Response

Tomato troubles

I struggle with diagnosing plant problems to the point where by the time I get it figured out, it’s too late to save the plant. Last year I had a horrible powdery mildew problem all over my cucumbers! I’m hoping to keep it under control this year… But I am already seeing problems… My cucumbers started to come up, but seem to be dying off as soon as they emerge. My tomatoes always do very well, but they already look sick! I don’t know if it’s pests or disease or disease caused by pests…. Should I give up on them and start over? Or can you help me save them by diagnosing the problem?

Posted by Jennifer Hochstrasser on May 11, 2020

Marianne's Response

Where do you live? Cool moist weather could be causing the yellow leaves as cucumbers and tomatoes are warm season plants and will suffer it is drops below 50 degrees at night. In most places that means waiting until June to set them out overnight. Try putting a plastic bottle with  the bottom cut out over each plant to keep warm at night. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti

    Search the Ask the Gardening Expert library

    Looking for a quick resolution to your problem? Marianne has answered thousands of gardening questions. One may be similar to yours. Try searching our library to get the answer you need — fast!

    My Topics

    View questions you submitted to Marianne in the past

    VIEW MY QUESTIONS