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Leaf discoloration part II #751604

Asked May 23, 2021, 2:36 PM EDT

Hi! I transplanted tomayoes and peppers into a raised bed 4 days ago and this is what the lower pepper and tomato plants looks like now. The seedlings were homegrown and healthy before they went in, the bed and soil are brand new (and 50% compost), and I’ve been watering once in the mid morning and once in the early afternoon. What could it be?

District of Columbia County District of Columbia

Expert Response

Hi again! I also transplanted these basil and tomatoe into a raised bed 5 days ago. The soil is about 10 years old and has been used for vegetable gardening every year, but I don’t know which veggies or when. I tested the soil a month ago and added both bone meal and blood meal based on the test results I got. I followed the directions on the package for both and then waited three weeks before transplanting  The basil is store bought and is simultaneously trying to flower. The tomato is homegrown and was healthy when I put it in. I’ve been watering mid morning and again in the early afternoon.
What could it be? Thank you!
The Question Asker Replied May 23, 2021, 2:41 PM EDT

Hello; Thanks for submitting your garden and landscape questions to UMd Ask Extension. 

It appears that the leaves of your tomato and pepper plants got sunscald when your plants were put out in recent bright hot sunlight. See UMd Extension publication    https://extension.umd.edu/resource/sunscald-vegetable-leaves. Your plants should recover once they have adjusted to new growing conditions in your vegetable bed. 

A good gardener should always keep a garden journal to record what you did and when/where you did it. Record the locations of your tomato/pepper plants, what plant varieties you selected, and when you planted them. Next year rotate your plants by planting them in a different area of your garden, or if you got poor production from them you will know not to use those plants in any future garden.

On your basil plants see UMd Extension publication https://extension.umd.edu/resource/basil. If your basil is trying to flower cut it back.

On your pepper plants see UMd Extension publication  https://extension.umd.edu/resource/peppers 

Good luck in your garden. 

Christopher

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