How To Prevent Your Tomato Leaves From Turning Brown

The Bottom Leaves On My Tomatoes Are Turning Brown.

What Is Wrong?

This is an annual problem and it shows up on tomatoes planted in the same garden year after year. This is caused by a wilt disease that comes from the soil  and it doesn't go away. Therefore, the following steps are essential to stop the damage from this disease.

At this point, applying a fungicide will help slow the process of the disease. It will not make it go away. Use a Bordo dust or spray on all of the plant leaves, including the upper ones that do not show any signs of damage. Apply this product as a dust early in the morning while the dew is on or it may be mixed in water and sprayed on.

It is essential when watering not to splash water on the leaves and to avoid splashing the soil up onto the plant. Try to water at a lower pressure and to aim your hose at the base of the plant rather than directly on the plant.

For next year, plant your tomatoes in a totally different area of the garden. Spread a black plastic sheet such as a garbage bag held down at the edges and plant the tomato through a hole in the plastic. This will prevent the soil from being splashed up onto the leaves when watering. It also has the bonus of keeping weeds from sprouting around your plant. Other good options to put down are cardboard or mulch to keep the soil in place.

Some varieties of tomatoes are labeled as being wilt resistant. They are usually listed on the label as VFN lettering. These varieties are improved and resist this wilt disease.