Question
I raise Tomato plants (organically) in 25 gallon blow mould pots, located on the sunniest area at my house which happens to be on concrete. The use of Serenade and Copper has kept all plants disease free for years. The only fertilizer used is fish & seaweed.  This year, by purchasing 4 packs of pups, I find myself with 8 extra plants.  Here is the question... If I plant the 8 pups along a fence that is on a hill about 40 feet from my well cared for pots, and I do nothing but water the extras (no disease prevention), and the extras come up with diseases,  will my pots be more in danger of contracting disease just because the diseased plants are so close?  I would like to see what the extras can do on their own, but do not want to endanger my good results.  Thanks so much for your time.  Chris

Answer
Dear Chris,
There is always a risk when plants are in close proximity, but I think 40 feet is a reasonable distance.  You might plant some sort of barrier type plant by the experimental tomatoes.  Something like marigolds or zinnias or ornamental grass or something that would not be susceptible to a tomato disease and then if a problem developed or a disease invaded, it probably wouldn't get past the barrier.
I wish you well.
Kind Regards,
KD
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