problem with yellowing leafs.

[chickkrzi]

OK Had the problem for several years now. And it would show up just as soon as my plants start to fruit. The problem only effects my tomatoes, watermelon, cucumber. Don't have any problems with carrots broccoli cantaloupes green beans (bush) or anything else of that sort. my soil is real sandy soil with ph around 7.5. this year I've dug the soil out and used my compost that is chicken maneuver (well broken down) in coastal hay and still have the same problem the yellowing starts at the base of the plant and worked his way out until the entire plane is consumed with a big yellow Leafs that dry up.the dead Leafs on my Tomatos aren't crisp. some say that I'm over watering and some say I'm not watering enough I'm unsure exactly on how to tell how much water I need for plants. I've always use the old squeeze test to check for moisture and add accordingly but that hasn't even seen the work. I do dig up the roots and check them out. Don't see any deformity. Just might be on the small side. any advice would be appreciated

Tomatos

Watermelon

 

[chickkrzi]

Might need to know it's been happening every since I've been gardening(last 4 years) So its nothing its just popped up.

 

[chickkrzi]

Maybe some better pics of how it starts out

 

[MeatNeggs2012]

I'm having the same problem. It's getting very irritating

 

[bucky52]

Same here,it happens every year.i pluck all the yellow leaves off,and dispose of them.but never throw them back in the garden.i have tried mulching with straw.and it still happens.I have read its in the soil.and many years ago we would lay down black plastic.and cut holes and plant our tomato's I don't remember having the yellowing of the leaves.

 

[NEChickenNoob]

First off, you need to get your soil tested. Send to your local extension office for a full analysis.

Each plant likes specific pH ranges. Tomatoes like higher acid ranges. 6.0 to 6.8 is idea for tomatoes, watermelons and cucumber. After your test, you will need to lower pH.

Check for pests. Aphids are tomato, cucumber and sometimes watermelon killers. Aphids and some beetles can transmit bacterial wilt. If you have cucumber beetles, that is a sure fire way to know.
You may have issues with in ground pests as well. Treating organically above ground pests are best done with insecticidal soap. It's all I use, however many other friends use some dish soap (not detergent, BIG DIFFERENCE, with not other additives) in water. About 1 tbs per gallon works, but not as effective as insecticidal soap.
Below ground pests are best treated with beneficial nematodes that eat them. Also lady bugs, and green lace wings do well with keeping off the baddies.

A repeat problem tells me you either have a major soil issue or a major pest problem....Look into both.

 

[Denwendairy]

My tomatoes get a mix of weak tomato fertilizer and Epsom salts every time i water. To a gallon sized jug of water, I add a tablespoon of Epsom salts. Also, the occasional dose of chelated iron doesn't hurt!
Heed the advice of NEChickenNoob- make sure you're not dealing with a pest of some sort first. If not a pest, it could me a nutritional deficiency of one type or another. Lots of great info on the internet as well.
Good Luck!

 

[chickkrzi]

Well with all this rain we have over the last month, my watermelons have never looked better (see pic below). But my tomatoes did put out a few tomatoes, most went to the chickens (busting open cause of rain).they did die off even with all this rain (all 4 plants at same time), also have just one watermelon plant dieing off and strangely enough it's the one closest to my tomatoes. I'm thinking it's some type of insect problem. With the coldest winter we have had in some years, I haven't had but just a few stink bugs in my garden this year. But the only insects I've noticed on my tomatoes was a leaf footed bug. What few squash bugs were on my squash plants across the yard.

 

[NEChickenNoob]

Looking good! I am a few weeks behind your growing season but my melons are definitely behind the power curve. I do need to step up my watering. Keep up the good work!