I am having issues with my vegetable garden. Some of the leaves are discolored. It seems like a lot of them are kind of a lighter yellow color and less of a green color, especially towards the bottom of the plants. On one of my tomato plants the leaves are turning a brown and look like they may be dying?
Is this all normal, and if not, what can I do? See photos attached.
Thanks!!
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- rainbowgardener
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It should be plenty of holes, but I never put any topsoil in a pot. Too heavy and moisture holding. The peat is lighter and fluffier but also moisture holding. You could do a mixture of 1/3 compost, 1/3 peat moss or coconut coir, 1/3 perlite (or coarse sand, or crushed granite - something mineral and not moisture holding that won't break down and compact). Or you could even do 50-50 peat and perlite, but then you would have to water and fertilize more.
It is normal for the oldest leaves at the bottom to yellow and eventually drop off, but I think your plants are staying too wet.
It is normal for the oldest leaves at the bottom to yellow and eventually drop off, but I think your plants are staying too wet.
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- ElizabethB
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Agree you can try to let it dry out some. Then try some fish. By that I mean fish emulsion, and I like Alaska brand (box stores), doesn't stink. That will get some N back in for green. Pinch off the worst yellow leaves and let plant work on new growth. Once they start looking pretty again, cut back on N or you'll have all leaves and no flower/fruit. Another one I like is Johns Recipe (Lady Bug brand) found in some garden centers. It has a ratio of 3 -1.5 -2. You can also work in some Black Kow. This is the bagged poo, rated .5 - .5 - .5 (I get it at Lowes). It has sand in it, so works in easy. I work that in around the top with the hand cultivator.
As for container mixes, we all have our pet formulas. Mine is about 1/2 bagged top (I check for ones with some sand, not all clumpy clay), some cotton burr and black kow. When doing the pot add a few handfuls of 'enriched dirt' which is my compost pile of dumped pots, kitchen scraps and a mess of worms.
As for container mixes, we all have our pet formulas. Mine is about 1/2 bagged top (I check for ones with some sand, not all clumpy clay), some cotton burr and black kow. When doing the pot add a few handfuls of 'enriched dirt' which is my compost pile of dumped pots, kitchen scraps and a mess of worms.