Problems with Beans and Tomatoes: a Message from our Urban Horticulture Advisor
Pat inquired with the Urban Horticulture Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension about recent problems with beans and tomatoes. Here are the results of that exchange:
I am hearing from many gardeners this year that they are having problems with green beans. So is my daughter, Wendy Woolf, having problems, but my daughter Francesca Filanc has no problems and her beans facing south in a Rancho Santa Fe garden with protection from wind and a wire structure in which the grow in a raised bed which has no problems. (I have shot videos in both places.) Fran’s raised beds are filled with top soil. Wendy’s were originally filled with potting soil then she added top soil on top.
Could there be a new virus on beans? Below is a link in which I discuss all the bean problem and try to find solutions.
I sent you a copy of what I wrote a reader today.
Thanks loads if you can help me with this. (the lower link below leads to a discussion on beans.)
I checked with Pat Nolan, the plant pathologist in the County Agriculture Dept. She is not aware of any new problem with beans this year. Our weather has been rather cool this year, especially near the coast and beans planted early may not have grown as well due to cool temperatures (air and
soil) and perhaps excess soil moisture which can cause some root problems.
People can still plant pole or bush beans in August and it should be warm enough to produce a good crop this fall.
We have the usual tomato problems with foliage damage from powdery mildew and tomato russet mites. Some gardeners also have damage from the tomato psyllid which injects a toxin as it feeds that stunts plants and stops them from fruiting. The insect can over winter on other solanaceous crops like potatoes and on some ornamentals like malva.
Thank you so much for this. Please may I have permission to publish it on my blog with credit to you, of course. I admire Pat Nolan very much. Would she care to see some of these problematic bean plants? Or visit the location?
Home gardeners can submit diseased plants to the County Ag Dept. at their San Diego office. There is no fee at this time, and Pat Nolan probably would not mind getting samples of some sick plants to check out. She is very busy and it would not be good to encourage the whole world to bring in their sick bean plant. She also does nursery inspections and usually does not have time to make home visits. It would probably be best to pick up a sick plant, roots and all, with a little soil. You can contact Pat by phone at
858-694-2753 or email Pat.nolan@SDCounty.ca.gov
And yes, you can post my previous reply on your blog if you like, but check with Pat Nolan first before you tell people they can submit samples to her lab.
Thank you so much. I will do as you suggest and if Pat says yes, we’ll limit the samples. Usually it’s difficult to find someone who will go to the trouble of actually finding out what is wrong. But in this case i think it would be a good idea and Denise will feel the same way and might help me by doing some leg work to bring this about.
Many thanks for your help!
Yes. Wood-base soil amendment products that are not adequately composted will draw nitrogen from the soil as they decompose. Some products are “nitrolized” and some nitrogen fertilizer (usually a chemical form) is added to the raw wood shavings, sawdust, etc. This provides some nitrogen to offset what is used when the wood product decomposes, but it may not always be enough. It may help crop growth if a slow release form of nitrogen (organic or chemical) is mixed into the soil with amendments that are raw or not adequately composted. When crops are growing rapidly there may not be enough nitrogen to supply their needs and the needs of bacteria and fungi that decompose organic matter, especially if it is not adequately composted.
Thank you for sending this since I have been saying this but you are the real authority and folks will listen to you! I will run your letter on my blog and give you full credit. Thanks so much
Hi Pat
Thanks for this blog subject–I’ve had issues too w my beans. frankly my zucchini seedlings didn’t fair well either. Cold, moist coast could have contributed too.
Can you recommend a slow release nitrogen? I would like to add to my beans and soon to pumpkins, cantaloup, and squash?
Thanks you!! Maureen
I think the problems people are facing with things not doing well has to do with what soil they put into raised beds. Best solution is to fertilize crops with an organic fertilizer recommended for vegetables. If one doesn’t give good results, try another. Dr. Earth is a pretty good brand, but I’ve had fine results with chicken manure. Fossilized Seabird Guano is great too, since it contains phosphorus and potassium. But these are not slow release. Vegetables need more than nitrogen.
Nitrogen just leads to a lot of leafy green growth but not to flowers and fruit. Root crops particularly need phosphorus and potassium, since these create strong roots. Tomatoes and peppers also need magnesium and other trace minerals. Carrots do not like manure but do need bonemeal for root growth.
The good thing about buying an organic vegetable fertilizer is that it already has in it what veggies need.
Slow release fertilizers are not organic. They are coated synthetic fertilizers so I don’t recommend them. I believe in using organic fertilizers especially in the vegetable garden.