Question
I have an unexpeceted wilting of a tomato plant. AllExperts say, all fingers point to some sort of root problem. How do I check the root system of a well established tomato plant in the ground? I live in Central Cali. close to Sac. Wheather is mid 80's with a terrific breeze. Also, how close should a marigold plant be to bellpeppers and tomato plants to kill off nemitoads?  All of you advice givers here are CRAZY AWESOME!  If not for you, my kids and I  would not have a fab veggie garden. Thanks a "bunch" and a "bushell". ;-)

Answer
Marigolds must be within inches of the root system of any plant to repel Nematodes.  But note these are not the common Marigold plants that do the repelling.  You need French nematodes to get this trick to work.  Only that, and no other.

Wilting Tomato Plants are nothing new, my friend.  Fusarium and Verticillium are common afflications.  The most common bacterial cause of wilt of Tomatoes and other plants: Pseudomonas solanacearum.  This bacterium pops up all over the world, in warm and tropical climates -- the kind you find in parts of California.  There is also a very common 'Root Rot' caused by the common Soil Fungus, Rhizoctonia solani; symptoms appear on young and established plants alike, the most important symptom being wilt and then collapse of the plant.

In Albama, 'The most serious disease found on numerous Tomatoes this year is Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV).  Plants that are infected with TSWV are stunted, may wilt, and often die. Initially, leaves in the terminal portion of the plant stop growing, become distorted, and turn pale green.  In young leaves, veins thicken and turn purple, causing the leaves to appear bronze. Dark purplish-gray ring spots frequently occur on infected leaves. Stems of infected plants often have purplish brown streaks. Infected fruit may exhibit numerous ringspots and blotches and may become distorted if infected when immature...'  It is spread, they write, 'by thrips and aphids.'

Regardless, I have one thing I feel I MUST say on this matter, and that is, WHY would you grow the same vegetable over and over in the same plot when we all know that crop rotation is the best way to avoid this?  Simply growing Tomatoes every OTHER year would have avoided it.  Correct me if I'm wrong, it is just my guess, but if you grew Tomatoes here last year, too, you should have grown something else this year, in a different family.  It's SO important to rotate your crops, and it's so easy, too.

Tell me a little more about your wilt symptoms -- top/bottom, old/new leaves, perhaps aphids sucking the life out of one or two branches, etc.  Thanks for your note.  rsvp

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER