Question
QUESTION:  live in Near Milwaukee, WI. I have planted a variety of tomatoes, started in the house in January, Feb in small pots in the window, now transplated in large containers where they will reside. I have done so many times in the past and had the same issue, I gave up for 4 years and purchased plants, and have had no problem with those when transplanting.

After a couple days of taking them outside for a few hours, this weekend I transplated them into large pots and the tomato leaves have gotten light yellow/green with brownish freckles on them, the best way i can describe it. however, the leaves aren't wilting or falling off. only the bottom leaves. the freckles aren't getting any bigger.

It almost looks blonde and I can't figure out why, I have them next to the house away from wind and at night the temps are around the mid to upper 40's.  Last night I basically covered them thinking the cold might have gotten to them.  Are they shocked by too much sun or from the transplating and they be fine?



ANSWER: Theodore:

It's not unusual for the bottom leaves of various plants to turn yellow. It could be from the change of temperature, moisture level or sunlight. As long as it is only those leaves it is nothing to worry about. Your nighttime temperatures are still a bit cold for tomatoes, so they are unlikely to do much for a while.

when you get ready to transplant them to your garden, dig an extra deep hole and plant them all the way up to the bottom leaves. This will allow them to develop healthy root systems. In the meantime, you might want to give them a feeding with some diluted balanced fertilizer.


Elyse

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Actually it is the whole plant(s) that the leaves have turned light green and I want to say they started once I started taking them outside for some sun and now worse since they were transplanted.  

I did use some fertilizer and then later just plain water.  They are close to our house so the temps should be warmer that just out in the yard. and they are protected from winds due to the basement wall and should get at least 8 hours of direct light.  This is FAR more than they got in the window which is a concern of mine.  They looked great in the house-deep green.

Answer
Theodore:

I still think the plants will be OK. It may be from transplanting, it may be the weather. Is it sunny there? If not, they may not be getting enough light. Overwatering can make the leaves turn yellow, too, so be careful there. Give them a couple of weeks to recover before you worry.

Elyse