Renew soil to combat tomato leaf roll
Also: use a light touch when planting with wood ashes, as too much can stunt plant growth
QSome of my tomato plant varieties are repeating a problem I’ve had with them for a few years. They grow in fine health until early July, when the leaves begin curling up. If they continue the same pattern of recent years, growth will become stunted and few tomatoes will be produced. I have only one good growing space for tomatoes.
ALeaves rolling up and becoming brittle on stunted plants is a disorder called, aptly enough, tomato leaf roll. It’s not a disease, but rather an affliction involving tomato variety choice, weather and growing conditions.
You say that only some of the plants display symptoms. Check the variety or varieties of the affected plants and consider eliminating them from your roster of tomatoes next year.
Over many years in my garden, Big Beef has proven to be the most robust, fruitful and untroubled staking tomato variety.
Varieties prone to leaf rolling are most likely to begin deteriorating in hot, dry weather, especially in stressful growing conditions.
The rolling can often be reduced by ensuring soil fertility, as well as consistently even and adequate moisture levels.
Mulching with a nourishing compost at the onset of hot weather, after a deep watering, is helpful.
Try to renew the soil as much as possible each year by removing some of the old and adding compost, fresh soil or/ and planting mix.
QI’ve heard different opinions on whether it is safe to use wood ashes in the garden. What do you think?
AI advise caution in using wood ashes. They are a source of potassium, but are also calcium-rich and highly alkaline.
I had a friend turn her beautiful blue hydrangea into a producer of muddy pink flowers by emptying an ash bucket around the bush.
Potassium hardens plant cells for general sturdiness and disease resistance.
Used to excess, it can stunt plants. Still, where a reduction in soil acidity is appropriate and potassium is needed, ashes can be useful.
But take care.