weed and feed and tomatoes

[augiedog55]

I'm going to plant three tomatoes for my neighbor thats in a wheel chair. I asked if he used any weed and feed on his yard. He said he puts weed and feed on in march. If i plant tomatoes in his side yard in late may will it be safe or will the weed and feed put down 3 months before kill the plants? If so I won't waste my time or tell him not to apply any on thast side of his house.
Thanks Bruce

[ddsack]

I don't use weed n feed, so not sure how it works. Different brands may have different formulations. If it's used as a pre-emergent type of weed killer, which prevents seeds from sprouting, then it should be ok for transplants to go in the area. Also, if they are contact herbicides for broadleaves, then they should have washed away before your tomato planting time. I hope someone who is more familiar with these products will comment.

[attml]

Not sure about 2 months later? I know it affected my plants already in the ground last year. I had 4 plants that I had in the ground for over a month in my Dads yard (ran out of room in my own yard) and he put down weed and feed and the plants had a very wierd morph of their vegetation. Looked almost like cucumber mosaic virus but it was defanitely peticide damage.

[remy]

Do not spray in that area. There are some weed killers that will stay in the soil for a long time and cause the distorted plant growth as described by attml.
Remy

[gssgarden]

8 weeks should be fine for MOST products. Some professional ones will stay around longer. Most important...read the label of the product! All needed info should be there.

Greg

[remy]

There has been a lot of problems with persistence of weed killer causing deformed growth so it is best to either not apply it or make sure none of the following ingredients listed in the link are in it.
http://soildoctor.org/?p=963
Remy

[erlyberd]

Lose the poison and use naturally available materials and create weed/mulch barrier. Leaves and grass clippings work wonderfully. Use organic fert or what ever your accustomed to. The weed/mulch layer will keep the soil moist, break down over the course of the summer providing more nutrients for the plants to soak up! It's good of you to look out for your neighbor! Are you growing dwarfs or at least plants that stay on the smaller side so he/she is able to pick them? Just a thought.Good luck, hope your neighbor delights in your efforts!

[attml]

This is what my plants looked like after the weed and feed application

Source:

[augiedog55]

Thanks for all the help. I haven't asked him if he had the professional come spray twice a yr or had someone put down the store bought granular. If he has been using a professional from what you have said he might have alot of residual chemicals in the ground. If that is the case I'm thinking I might have to just buy a couple smart pots and put them on his deck. That way I'll be sure not to have any problems and he will get some tomatos. I would hate to put tomatos in and have them die.
earlybird. I'll be doing the caring for his plants so I'm going to get regular size plants. I'm thinking about putting out a Big Beef, Eva Purple Ball, and a Kimberly. Hopefully that will give him a steady supply all yr.

[erlyberd]

Looks like they got zapped somehow? too much fert? Not sure.

[remy]

erlyberd,
It is herbicide damage. Certain weed killers affect tomato plants like this. It can happen by accidental spray drift of from being in the soil or added compost/manure.
Remy