I first noticed the problem a few weeks after planting; we’d had a lot of rain so my best guess was that my plant was over-watered. I’d also been a little overzealous with the Miracle-Gro so that could have contributed to the problem. I took a couple pictures and brought them to Lowe’s where a helpful associate confirmed that the plant was receiving too much fertilizer. Whoops!
After draining and refreshing the soil, the tomato started to look healthier and I thought my “luck” had turned. I even noticed a few tiny yellow flowers, a sure sign of the tomatoes to come! Enter roadblock #2, a long weekend at the beach. Even though I soaked the soil before we left, I returned home to a very sad-looking plant. The final straw was a couple weeks with hundred-degree temperatures. When your tomato has completely browned and its leaves are falling off? Just give up; it’s dead.
Even though my first produce-growing experience has been less than successful, I still plan to try again next year. I’ve learned that tomato plants tend to perform better when planted in the ground, that they shouldn’t be over (or under!) watered, and that fertilizing agents (like Miracle-Gro) should be administered sparingly. How did your tomatoes fare? Did you have a happy gardening experience? If so, check out Sandy’s blog entry and get canning. Hopefully next year I’ll be able to join you!
