This past year was my first year in my current home and I planted a garden.
The corn did great but after several weeks of being planted my tomato plants died. I took photos and a sample to my local UT Farm Extension and they quickly identified the culprit as 2, 4D. I do not use chemicals on my lawn.
I had no idea were this poison was coming from. I replanted more tomatoes and after doing well for a month they all died as the first batch. Once again I went to UT Farm Extension and again they insisted it was 2, 4D. At that point I gave up on tomatoes but my Corn was doing well and this puzzled me. Later I learned that 2, 4D will not effect corn.
One day I came home to see a serviceman spraying my neighbors lawn. I walked around the corner and there was a Tru-Green truck parked behind the house. I questioned the workman but he referred me to his manager. I called Tru-Green and they swore that their product had been tested by spraying within 3 feet of tomato plants with no effect. Every time my neighbor's lawn was sprayed I could smell the 2, 4D but the Tru Green manager insisted their product was not effecting my tomato plants.
I went on line to find thousands of complaints against Tru-Green and other lawn spray services. I read of many cases where the damaged party sued. I tried to explain the situation to my neighbor but he was less than cooperative.
I live in a community called Fairfield Glade TN that is known as a golf community. Lawns seem to have priority here regardless of insecticide and fertilizer run off not to mention the damage to wildlife and fish and the poisoning of lakes and ground water.
If you are chemically treating your lawn please become aware of the effects you are having on you neighbors and you local environment.
If you are seeing problems in your flower or vegetable gardens that do not fit the normal problems then look to see what your neighbors are doing and you may find your culprit.
Don