Dave

Interesting ALL my tomatoes are showing signs of herbicide damage (2,4 d) but these random ones are fine! One is growing up against a fence and this one is right next to the underside of the deck....I guess they were protected a bit.

Still trying to figure out which neighbors spray so I can ask them to warn me before they spray again.....sigh

You might consider calling your local lawn care (tomato killing) services and ask if they spray in your area. Explain the problem to them, and ask them to notify you if they are going to be spraying in your area. Most of them are very much aware that herbicide use is regulated by Federal laws and almost all states. One of the regulations has to do with spraying when there is a likely hood of drift.

Another option would be to print up a little flyer on your computer that says something like:

Hello, I am one of your neighbors at (address and/or phone number) and I am trying to grow some fresh tomatoes for my family. I would love to share them with the neighborhood when they get ripe. Unfortunately, tomatoes are very sensitive to herbicide drift, and mine have been damaged once this season. Hopefully they will grow out of it if they are not exposed to further damage.

If you use herbicides, I would appreciate it if you would let me know before you do, so that I can protect my tomatoes and I promise I will share the bounty of fresh homegrown tomatoes with you when they are ready.

Sincerely,

(Your name)

Then leave or give one to each of your neighbors. Even if you don't hear from the person who does spray, they might have a neighbor who will narc on them.....

And you may make a tomato friend when you take them 3 or 4 slicers or a couple dozen cherry tomatoes.

Betsy

I love that little letter!

I don't know of any neighbors that use a lawn care service. Maybe people do way down the street or on another street but when I look 4-5 houses to my right and left, and also across the street 4-5 houses right and left, no one uses a service. Most people use Terminex but they don't use herbicides, just pesticides. I am waiting to see my neighbors outside that live on the left and right of me and ask if they used a weed and feed product. I don't think the one does, but I am pretty sure the other one does (unless he is just using lime)! I will ask them to please tell me before they spray again. I am hoping it is my close neighbors because then I will have "some" control over the situation. If not, then I feel pretty helpless!

The fun part, besides eating them, will be guessing what type it is, do you remember what types you planted last year?

Remember it can also be a seed from someone's salad or sandwich. If the tomatoes end up tasting dull and lifeless, then i'd say it was an errant seed from someone's lunch :)

- Steve