Question
Hello Mike,
I have three young bell pepper plants in a small 3.5-inch
pot, and they're very young - they're about 7.5" high from
the ground to the top of the stem, they're about 4 months
old, and the leaves look green and healthy.  However, the
leaves closer to the bottom (below 6 inches from the top of
the plants) have all fallen off.  They looked healthy and
green when they fell off, but I noticed that the end of the
petiole that meets the main stem was slightly browned and
shriveled.  Do you know why the leaves are falling off, and
is this something I should prevent?  New leaves are growing
at the tops of the plants, but these are smaller and a little
wrinkled or curled on the sides.  I've been growing these
indoors and they haven't flowered yet, if that has anything
to do with it.  I water it when the dirt looks dry and I've
given it Miracle-Gro once or twice.  Sorry I'm such a novice
- this inspires me to get a plant book.  Any insight and
advice you may have will be much appreciated.  Thanks!

Answer
Michelle, normally when leaves dry, curl, and fall off, it is caused by inconsistent watering or excess moisture in the soil.

Most backyard gardens have soil that is very heavy in clay.  As a result, the soil retains the water and does not drain properly.  The excess moisture tends to water log the roots, which in turn inhibits the plant from taking in nutrients.

Vegetable grown in pots must also have good drainage.  Overwatering is the number problem with container-grown plants.  They must be allowed to completely dry out between waterings.

To correct this, you need to amend the soil with organic materials.  These include compost, peat moss, aged manure, dried grass clippings, and shredded leaves.  These will not only add a constant supply of nutrients to your plants, but will increase the tilth of the soil, and also help with drainage.

I would also apply a balanced granular fertilzer with a combination 12-12-12 nutrient ratio.  This will provide a quick boost to correct the yellowing/curling problem.

In regard to garding books, my favorites in order of preference are as follows:

1. Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew
2. Lasagna Gardening by Patricia Lanza
3. Rodale's Garden Answers
4. Rodale's Chemical-Free Yard and Garden
5. Seed-Starter Handbook by Nancy Bubel
6. The Midwest Fruit & Vegetable Book by James Fizzell
7. Rodales Pest & Disease Solver
8. 1,001 Old-Time Garden Tips by Roger Yepsen
9. Burpee Complete Gardener
10.The Experts Book of Garden Hints by Rodale Press
11.Gardening Secrets by Charles W.G. Smith

The one book I use for reference material is Rodale's All-New Encylclopedia of Organic Gardening.

I hope this answered your question.  Good luck, and have a nice week.

Regards,

Mike