via flickr.com

I’m an organization nerd (and a seed storage geek). It’s why I’m so attracted to Square Foot Gardening. I like it when things have their place. Without a system, things easily start to become messy and confusing. “Where did I put that again?”, “What did I just plant there last week?”. I’m more forgetful than I like to be, so keeping everything in order, making notes, and marking planting areas allows me to clear my head of the details and focus on what’s important.

Over the years, I’ve experimented with a number of seed storage ideas from tiny vials to lab storage equipment. Here are my favorite seed storage options:

Arts & Crafts Storage Box

This is my current seed storage method because, at this point, I have too many seeds for any other option to be viable. The large box contains several small containers, which are labeled by seed variety (carrots, squash, flowers, herbs, etc.). There’s also enough room inside the storage case for me to stick two sharpies, a roll of string, and a handful of plant markers.

It’s a sizeable box, but with its handle, it’s ultra-transportable, and I tote it out to the garden almost every morning at the height of the gardening season.

Tiny Vials

via flickr

When I started gardening, I had a very small collection of seeds and lots of time on my hands. I purchased a bunch of tiny vials at the dollar store and filled them full of seed from packets I had found at the hardware store. Carefully pouring in the seeds was time-consuming yet relaxing work. When I was done, I had cute little seed-filled bottles on my hands. Seeds were easy to shake out and I could keep them on display and within reach.

Filing Container

I purchased my little black filing container from a local office supply store for under $10 and still use it to this day. Because my seed collection has expanded considerably, it’s now the spot where I store empty seed packets since I like to have those on hand for future reference. You can find something similar on Amazon or most big box office supply stores.

Tiny Lab Sample Containers

When my collection started to outgrow the vials, I decided on a new storage solution: lab equipment. The tiny circular containers were perfect for storing seed (except big ones like squash and cucumber seed). Instead of labeling each container, I coded them with numbers and letters and created a spreadsheet to keep track of the seed type and date purchased. It was a big undertaking, but the system was incredibly useful, and I used this type of storage for years.

Tiny Resealable Bags

I use little plastic bags to store seeds destined for other people. They’re perfect for swapping or sharing seeds. The small packets are lightweight, watertight, and easy to label. I prefer the clear plastic because I and others can easily see what’s inside. These little packages are excellent for storing saved seeds, too.

Don’t forget to check out my previous post that covers handy seed storage tips. 

Gardens are more than just an attractive feature in one’s home. They also help boost ecological balance by supporting pollinators. But before we go into designing a pollinator-friendly garden, let’s refresh our memory on some basic biology concepts.

What are pollinators, and why are they important?

The process of transferring pollen to the reproductive parts of plants is called pollination. This is the first step to fertilizing plants, which results in the food that we eat — namely fruits and vegetables — and a variety of other flowering plants that also provide us with raw materials.

Though plants can self-pollinate, wind and water also help with the transfer of pollen, and the majority of flowering plants rely on the help of animals to do so. Findings from the journal Oikos indicates that 87.5% of the world’s flowering plants are animal-pollinated, which accounts for around 308,006 plant species. This figure highlights the urgent need to preserve the population of these humble agricultural heroes, especially as they continue to be threatened by habitat loss and the widespread use of chemicals.

The most common pollinators are bees, wasps, butterflies, birds, as well as many other insects and small mammals. If you see insects hovering around and feeding off of your garden’s beautiful flowers, don’t shoo them away! What you’re witnessing is a magical process in nature — something that we humans quite literally cannot live without.

How to attract pollinators

1. Plant a variety of flowers: Ensuring diversity in your garden is the best way to entice different kinds of pollinators. For example, sunflowers and hyacinths are particularly appealing to honeybees, while butterflies are partial to mild-scented plants like lavender and pansies. Consider planting native species, as they’re more adapted to the local environmental factors and will also attract native pollinators.

2. Plant flowers in masses: There are some species that have difficulty in locating flowering plants. Butterflies, for example, need to be within 10-12 feet of an object for them to see it. What helps in this case is to plant flowers in big clumps, so they’re a lot easier to spot.

3. Reduce or eliminate use of pesticide: If you absolutely have to, researchers from Michigan State University suggest spraying pesticides at night or early in the morning, when most pollinators are asleep or away. Treat specific plants individually rather than spraying your entire garden with chemicals. Alternatively, opt for organic pest control solutions or low-toxicity pesticides to minimize harm to pollinators.

4. Consider the plant seasonality: You also want to think about plant seasonality to ensure that you have beautiful blooms all year-round. When it comes to pollinators, a consistent supply of nectar is key to keeping them around.

Here are some additional tips if you want to attract specific pollinators:

• Bees: Recalling our article on ‘Creating Bee-Friendly Landscaping for Your Home’, you want to make sure that your plants also provide enough cover. Some bees like to burrow, some like to build nests, and some like to settle in hollow spots, so keep that in mind when attracting bees.

• Wasps: Like bees, wasps also like to take shelter in holes, so consider adding a decorative log with holes in, somewhere in your garden. You can also cultivate plants that attract wasps, such as sweet fennel, Queen Anne’s Lace, yarrow, and spearmint. Just be sure to keep them away from your house, because if they sting you, it will hurt. A feature on how to deal with wasps by HomeServe recommends putting sugary food away, as well as disposing rubbish and covering trash bins in the correct manner. If you don’t it will be like an open invitation for them to enter your house through a door or window. Wasps are attracted to sweets, so be sure you have plenty of flowers in your garden that will attract them.

• Birds: Hummingbirds are some of the most common avian pollinators. The Spruce notes that they’re attracted to water sources, which means that including a simple water feature in your garden enables them to drink from it, and is a great way to invite them over. A hummingbird feeder with nectar is also an easy way to entice them.

A ripped up kitchen homeowners will have to pay for.

One of the main aspects of the American Dream is becoming a homeowner…isn’t it? This might not necessarily be the case anymore.

For many Americans, there seems to be a declining interest in owning a home. The decline in home buying goes hand in hand with increasing percentages of millennials that consider buying a home unfeasible due to financial inability.

There are a lot of downsides to buying property instead of simply renting. The millennial generation isn’t missing out on much by choosing to rent. For those who have the ability to buy a home, you might want to think twice before you do. You may be able to have the garden of your dreams if you decide to purchase your own home, but there are other factors to consider.

Here are seven reasons why you might want to consider renting instead of buying a home–or at least putting off a home purchase for a few more years.

1. No Property Taxes

If you own your own home, you will need to pay taxes on that property, and depending on your state and county, they can be pretty expensive.

2. Lower Utility Costs

Homes are usually bigger than rental apartments, which means the utility costs per month can be significantly higher than those for a rented space. It’s costly to heat up a full home, as they typically have more rooms and large open spaces. Rental properties tend to have more compact floor plans, making them way more affordable to heat.

3. No Maintenance or Repair Expenses

If you are renter, your landlord is responsible for all the maintenance costs that come up in your apartment or house. This includes organising repairs, making any necessary improvements, and contacting services such as those that offer mold remediation in Scottsdale, AZ, or wherever the house is based. Other issues that the landlord would be responsible for are things like plumbing issues, roof leaks, and appliance breakdowns. If you own a home however, all these labor issues and expenses come straight out of your pocket.

As a renter, therefore, the most you’ll likely ever have to consider is looking for a company offering a commercial carpet cleaning service in Denver, CO before you move in. This is mostly for your sake too, to ensure you’ve got a freshly cleaned space to move into that you can feel secure in. Getting the place cleaned is typically part of the contract with a landlord however, so don’t be surprised if this were come up in a lease agreement.

4. More Freedom

Plenty of people would prefer not to be nailed down to any one geographical location. When you purchase a home, you don’t have a lot of flexibility or freedom when it comes to where you want to live. You can’t just pick up your stuff and go. If you are a renter, you can have a change of scenery when you want to, and you won’t struggle to find a place to stay when you do move.

5. No Down Payment

There aren’t up-front costs with renting like there is with home buying. Sure, renters usually need to pay a security deposit that may be equal to one month’s rent, but when you are buying a home you usually need to put down about 20% for a mortgage. That is a very large chunk of cash!

6. Lower Insurance Costs

The average cost for homeowner’s insurance is somewhere between $30 and $80 a month, while the average for renter’s insurance is only $10 to $20 per month. When you add that up to a year’s worth of savings, it’s a pretty penny.

7. Decreasing Value

Property value is not a stable asset. The value of homes, condos, and apartments go up and down unpredictably–which can affect property owners substantially. The possibility of depreciating property value doesn’t have as big of an effect on renters.

Sadly, one cost that both homebuyers and renters still have to cover is the expense of moving. If you are struggling to cover the truck rental, boxes, and moving help, then you should consider a title loan or some other form of temporary funding.

No matter whether you decide to buy or rent, put the time and effort into making sure you are making the decision that is best for your particular financial situation.

Photo credit: Beck Gustler, via Flickr.

Flickr via Local Food Initiative

It’s nearly time to start seedlings, but you’ve noticed your seed supply is a bit thin. Or perhaps you’re bored with the varieties you typically grow and want to try something new. Seed swapping is the perfect way to top up your seed inventory on a budget. 

What is seed swapping?

It’s exactly what it sounds like! Trading seeds with other gardeners to get rid of excess seed and discover new varieties without spending loads of money. Usually, seed swapping involves trading saved seeds, but that’s not always the case. Don’t be shy to ask about the provenance of the seed you’re receiving. 

Benefits of seed swapping

But it’s so easy to buy seeds from seed catalogs! Why would you bother seed swapping at all? Here’s why seed swapping is such a worthwhile pursuit:

• It’s free. Although seeds are some of the cheapest gardening supplies, buying several packets does tend to add up. I’ve easily spent over $50 on a single seed order. If your gardening budget is tight, consider trading seeds instead of perusing through a seed supplier’s catalog. 
• It’s a way to discover new plant varieties. Not all plant varieties are readily available. Many seed suppliers stock commonly requested varieties. You won’t have trouble finding beefsteak tomato seed anywhere, but if you’re searching for a rarer variety, a seed swap may be your best bet. Swapping is the perfect way to find new types otherwise unknown to you or unavailable elsewhere.
• It’s social. Gardeners don’t always get a chance to interact with one another. Gardening—aside from community gardening—is largely a solo activity. Going to organized seed swaps is an ideal opportunity to meet fellow gardeners and swap not just seeds but gardening-related tips and tricks. 
• It produces less waste. Fewer seeds are wasted if you manage to swap your excess supply successfully. Some seeds have a shorter lifespan than others. If you have an abundance of freshly harvested parsnip seeds, for instance, sow what you need and see if you can trade with someone else since those seeds aren’t usually viable for longer than a year. 

Where to swap seeds?

Wondering where to go to trade seeds with other gardeners? Check out local seed swapping events. In Canada, Seedy Saturdays are popular weekend events that help gardeners prep for the upcoming gardening season. Many Seedy Saturdays include seed retailer displays, but swapping is also encouraged. Find out more at the Seeds of Diversity website.

Seed Savers also has a page to facilitate seed swapping. 

Community environmental days are anther possible seed swapping venue. If there’s no organized seed swap planned for your town’s next Earth Day event, ask if you can be involved in getting something started. 

Your community garden is another place to chat with other gardeners and trade seeds. Inquire with green-thumbed community members, friends, and family. Remember, you don’t necessarily need to get something in return. Giving away seed is also perfectly acceptable!

Find out if your local garden club organizes seed swap events in the spring. Or check out online gardening forums to find seed swapping opportunities. I’ve met several gardeners on Instagram who are happy to trade and share seeds and plant cuttings. 

Flickr.com via Chiot’s Run

Peek into my gardening cabinet, and you’ll find a slew of gardening books, some crafting supplies, seed starting tools, my seed organizer, and a bunch of empty seed packets devoid of seed.

Why do I keep the dirty, warped, packets around? If I’m out of seed, why not throw them in the trash? Good question!

I don’t dare toss out packets unless they’re damaged beyond recognition. There are plenty of smart reasons to keep those packets close by, but the number one reason is that they contain so much information. A seed packet is an invaluable piece of reference material. Here’s what it can tell you:

• Days to maturity: This is a crucial piece of information for garden planning. While I could easily Google it, I find it easier to refer to my saved, crumpled packets. I don’t mind hauling them out to the garden or getting them dirty during the seed starting process. I’m also more confident in the seed packet info than I am in a Google search. Often, the seed packet estimate is much more accurate than anything I might find online. The best information is straight from the seed source. Another seed seller may sell seeds for a plant with an identical name but there may be small variations in time to maturity.
• Region-specific info: Some seed sellers are better equipped to note region-specific information on packets. A seed seller based in California, might not think to include information for cold-region growers, for instance. If you spot region-specific info on a packet, hold it close! I cherish those seed packets that contain info for my specific growing region.
• Harvesting tips: Harvesting information is readily available online, but again, it’s sometimes not very variety-specific.
• History: Historical information won’t necessarily help you cultivate a healthy crop, but it’s super interesting and hard to find elsewhere, especially if you’re purchasing from a specialized seller.
• Spacing guide: As a Square Foot Gardener, spacing per square is usually really simple, but some plant varieties have unique spacing requirements that I might not find listed in the SFG book or online. I’ll refer to the listed packet spacing for this info.

I also like to take notes or stick post-its to my leftover seed packets with observations and my personal experience growing a certain plant. If the packet says days to maturity is 50, but I found it to be longer, I’ll mark that on the packet. It may be my specific growing conditions that create the difference, and it’s essential to keep tabs on those small variations for when I’m planning out my planting schedule the following year. The added notes also provide me with info otherwise not on the packet. I find it easier to refer to these notes than to use a journal or other garden diary.

Old packets are also useful if you plan to save seeds. You’ll have the original info on hand, and you won’t have to worry about forgetting plant particulars.

Do you keep old seed packets? If you don’t, I hope that you’ll reconsider after reading this!

Are you missing your garden and can’t believe it’s still winter? Are you searching for an out-of-the-box activity to get yourself out of the house? I know. It’s so tempting to wait out the winter wrapped in a blanket. Curl up on the couch with a good book, and it’ll soon be time to get started on gardening tasks. Even the most introverted among us need a bit of time out, though, don’t we? 

If you’re on the hunt for a fun indoor activity to do by yourself, with friends, or with kids, consider visiting a flower show. These horticultural exhibitions are the perfect place to satisfy cravings for digging in the dirt. Scope out beautiful blooms and enjoy the scent of fresh greenery by visiting one of these flower shows and garden-related exhibitions taking place this February:

Atlanta Botanical Garden Flower Show: Expressions

Taking place from February 21st until February 23rd, the exposition includes not only fresh flowers but also art, photography, and more all inspired by nature’s colorful blooms. 

B.C. Home + Garden Show

Visit the home and garden show between February 19th and February 23rd and scope out a variety of home and garden related booths.

39th Annual Connecticut Flower & Garden Show 

The popular New England based flower show includes a gorgeous garden display, competitions with hundreds of entries, booths filled with activities and wares, along with a slew of informative seminars led by radio personalities and horticultural experts. 

Northwest Flower & Garden Festival

For those located in Seattle, Washington, the Northwest Flower, and Garden Festival features a variety of workshops, seminars, and plenty of opportunities to shop for garden-related goods. Exhibitors include over 30 nurseries and plant retailers. 

Dallas Blooms

Visit the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden starting February 28th (ends April 12th) to ogle the over 500,000 flowers on display. The on-location gardens also feature plenty of educational material for curious gardeners young and old. 

PBS Wisconsin Garden & Landscape Expo

The expo takes place between February 7th and 9th. Tickets cost just $10 at the door and are available in two or three-day passes, as well. Notable guests include Joe Lamp’l, Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, and Venice Williams. Check out the website for a schedule of activities, including plenty of fun gardening-themed stuff for kids (those under 12 get in free!). 

Have you started receiving your seed catalogs yet? Mine have indeed begun arriving in my mailbox! I’ve set the pile aside during the holidays — I’ve been too busy cleaning, cooking, and entertaining to peruse them, but I look forward to when I have a chance to flip through the pages of delicious-looking produce. 

When the catalogs start to arrive, it’s a sign that it’s time to start thinking about seed starting. Yes, even under a blanket of snow and frequent ice pellet showers, a gardener should have seed starting on the brain. But what if you already have everything set aside for seed starting — supplies and seeds alike. Do you really need to keep all those seed catalogs? What’s the point? 

Growing tips

A lot of seed catalogs don’t solely contain listings for seeds. Many provide a wealth of growing information and advice that’s useful for beginner and intermediate gardeners. My favorite catalogs include region-specific seed starting and planting charts. 

Reference guide

Have you successfully saved seeds throughout the seasons but lost your original seed packets? You may be able to find growing information inside a seed catalog. Many catalogs include helpful growing information for specific varieties of produce. Read the descriptions, and you might discover tips for individual plants that you never knew before — after all, not all seed packets are comprehensive. I’ve even ordered seeds that arrived in packets that contained zero planting and growing info. Thankfully, I always have a few seed catalogs on hand for easy reference. 

Inspiration

There’s nothing quite like flipping through a gorgeous full-color seed catalog in the dead of winter. When everything is dead and covered in snow, browsing a large selection of seeds is enough to get your mouth-watering and give you the itch the garden again. It’s the perfect way to get yourself psyched for indoor seed starting. 

Coupons

Who doesn’t love free stuff? I pay nothing for the seed catalogs that arrive in the mail, and I sometimes feel like I’m stealing! I feel even luckier when the catalogs arrive with coupon codes attached. Some companies provide regular customers with discount codes and coupons, which are infinitely helpful when purchasing supplies in the spring. 

Are you worried about your tree’s ability to withstand harsh winter weather? A bit of mulch might be your ticket to preserving new plant life in your garden.

Typically, mulching of trees is done in the fall, prior to freezing weather, in preparation for winter.

As we head deeper into the winter, there may still be time for folks in some regions to mulch and protect their trees.

It’s a little late for those in northern areas, but regardless of where you live, read on to learn more about winterizing trees with mulch and discover whether it’s necessary for your plants.

What is mulch?

Mulch is a protective layer of material placed around the base of a plant or tree. Examples of mulch materials include:

• Leaf mold
• Coco coir
• Wood chips
• Compost
• Straw
• Branches and pine needles

It’s also possible to use inorganic mulching materials like faux rubber wood chips, but these don’t break down and benefit the soil like organic options.

The most economical mulches are recycled materials like shredded fall leaves. Collect the leaves and reuse them for mulching for an environmentally friendly alternative to storebought mulch.

Purpose of mulch

There are a few benefits to using mulch in your garden and around your yard. Mulch is useful for:

• Conserving moisture
• Suppressing weed growth
• Protecting root systems from cold weather

Over time, organic mulches also break down and help improve soil quality. Unlike inorganic substances, organic mulches also deliver added nutrients to the soil.

Using Mulch to Winterize Trees

A layer of mulch applied in the fall protects tree roots from rapidly changing temperatures by conserving soil warmth. Mulch is especially important if you’ve recently planted saplings as they’re more sensitive to temperature fluctuations than mature trees. Their root systems are also more vulnerable compared to root systems of the well-established plant life on your property. The insulation provided by mulch prevents roots from damage caused by soil expansion and compaction during freeze and thaw cycles in the winter.

When mulching trees for the winter, it’s essential to spread the right amount. Adding too much can suffocate a plant’s roots. Don’t pile it up around the trunk of a tree and avoid thick layers of mulch (2-3 inches should suffice).

Which trees do I need to mulch?

Trees and plant life that are native to your region don’t require mulching for winter protection. Don’t waste your time mulching the big maple tree in your backyard. It doesn’t need it. It’s well adapted to the climate and has already established itself.

Other native, hardy plants like certain types of rose bushes shouldn’t require winter protection either.

Some trees and bushes may benefit from winter cover, but not mulch.

Focus on mulching recently planted trees and shrubs. Young trees haven’t yet built up an established root system and benefit from a layer of cozy, insulating mulch.

The ice has arrived. It covers the roads, the driveway, and most of the garden. The leftover plants have turned into icy statues. The wind blows, and they remain immobile. The light coating of snow makes everything look intensely beautiful, though. At this time of year, I get to sit down and enjoy the first full month of no-gardening. There are no more tools to clean or put away. There’s nothing more to remove from the earth — everything is frozen, so I couldn’t even if I wanted to. There’s nothing left to harvest, and I no longer visit the garden beds each morning. They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I think it’s true of gardening, as well. 

It’s easy to slip into a bad attitude at this time of year. The cold and ever-changing weather makes people cranky. I’m lucky that I happen to enjoy the chilly temperatures, but I understand how darker days and inclement weather take their toll. When your favorite hobby has to be put on hold, what are you supposed to do? 

I like to take the extra time as an opportunity to spend time on other hobbies. Winter is the ideal time to sink your teeth into a new hobby or re-discover activities that you tend to neglect the rest of the year while you garden.

Here are a few recommendations:

Cross-stitch

I’ve yet to physically cross-stitch anything, but I’ve made it a point to read about it. My goal is to complete one project before I have to get into the nitty-gritty of seed starting — which may be sooner rather than later since the catalogs have already begun arriving in my mailbox! 

Reading

I’m an avid reader twelve months out of twelve, but there’s nothing quite like snuggling up with a book in the wintertime. Even non-readers might enjoy flipping through the pages of a good book when the temperature dips. If reading fails to keep your attention, try listening to audiobooks. If you really miss gardening and can’t stop thinking about your favorite hobby, pick out stories with gardening-related twists,
or grab a non-fiction gardening book to learn something new.

Cooking

Crack open the cookbooks on your shelf and learn how to utilize all of the produce you’ve harvested and preserved. Find recipes that inspire you to use the jars of tomatoes, frozen peas, and dried fruit you collected earlier in the year.

Snowshoeing

Gardening is a fairly active hobby, especially if you have a large plot of land. Weeding, digging, and moving around structures and dirt takes quite a bit of energy. Don’t sit around all winter and do nothing! Keep your body moving. The cold weather doesn’t have to bar you from heading outside. One of my favorite winter activities is snowshoeing — you’ll find plenty of affordable options at most big box stores or sports shops. It’s a great way to discover trail networks nearby and work up a sweat. 

Indoor planting

Can’t stop thinking about the summer gardening season? If you really miss your plants and can’t fathom getting into any other hobby, why not brush up on your indoor gardening skills. Some of the best gardeners I know are lousy when it comes to taking care of indoor plants. If you can’t seem to keep a plant alive for more than a month, spend December, January, and February learning how to properly care for potted plant life. Not sure which plant to introduce into your space? Try an air plant! 

Do you have any winter hobbies? What activities to you turn to when gardening is not an option? Leave a comment and let me know 🙂

At one time, your gorgeous tomato plant was dotted with juicy, bright red fruit and had brilliant healthy green leaves. Now, the plant is looking under the weather, and its leaves are curling up. What’s going on? Why is your tomato plant taking a turn for the worse? Why does tomato foliage curl?

Tomatoes are relatively easy to grow. The right conditions produce delicious fruit. Unfortunately, unlike other edible garden plants, tomatoes are susceptible to a variety of pests, diseases, and problems. If something in the soil or environment is off, your tomato plant will send up signals, including curled leaves.

Here are a few reasons your plant might be experiencing leaf curl and how to troubleshoot:

Disease

Viral infections may cause tomato leaf curl. Pests transmit many plant viruses, so inspect the foliage carefully to check for an infestation. Diseased foliage also often exhibits other symptoms such as yellowing. If the problem is disease-related, you’ll typically notice other signs that your plant is unhealthy. Upward curling may be the result of a virus or environmental stress. Tomato mosaic virus, however, typically causes downward curling along (fruit is also affected).

If your tomato plant is infected with a virus, you should dispose of it as soon as possible to prevent infecting neighboring plants. Throw infected plants away, and do not put them in your compost bin.

Environmental Stress

Leaf curl may occur as a result of environmental stress and there are plenty of ways the environment can affect your tomato plant.

• Transplant shock
• Excessive pruning
• Wind damage
• Lack of water
• Too much water
• High temperatures
• Too much fertilizer

In cases where foliage curl is caused by environmental stressors, the situation is easy to rectify. Is drought causing the problem? Then be sure to water consistently or install an irrigation system. If transplant shock is the issue, try extending the hardening off period or waiting to transplant until temperatures have leveled off.

If you don’t deal with environmental stress, your plant may fail to produce fruit or leave you with a very meager harvest.

Pests

The presence of pests increases the chance of viral contamination. A large pest presence may also cause leaf curling. A tomato plant infested with aphids may exhibit leaf curl. It’s possible to manually remove the bugs (a strong stream of water from your garden hose should do) but keep an eye on your plant. Pests bring disease and there’s a chance your plant may need to be removed from your garden.

To prevent pest infestations remove diseased plant material as soon as possible, inspect plants purchased from outside sources before transplanting them into your garden, and cultivate healthy soil (avoid over-fertilizing, rotate crops, etc.)

Weed Killer Damage

Certain types of weed killers may also cause tomato leaf curl. The plant damage that results from herbicide contamination is not reversible, and plants are usually harmed beyond repair. How do you avoid this type of damage? Avoiding herbicide is your best bet. If you decide to use weed killers, be sure to use them carefully. Pay close attention to manufacturer guidelines. In cases where herbicide is the culprit, the leaves are usually heavily deformed. Don’t use weed killer? If your plants are located close to city sidewalks or neighboring yards, someone else might be spraying the chemicals that are harming your plants.