Tomato Dirt Newsletter
Volume 6, Number 15

Dear Tomato Dirt reader,

Welcome back to Tomato Dirt! A couple of times a month, we’ll send you this newsletter packed with tips about growing tomatoes and using them.

Dig It!

The right tool (or a good tool) can make all the difference in the garden. Make sure you have what you need to harvest a healthy, productive crop. Take a look at the most popular gadgets used by gardeners like you!

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FEATURE: Be on the Lookout for These 3 Tomato Pests

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As growing season progresses, check your tomato plants often for pests. These three are especially common in container tomatoes, but check the plants in your garden patch, too.

• Aphids. You can identify aphid attack by curled leaves. They feed on emerging leaves and stems, creating holes or stunted endings. Aphids can be knocked off with a spray of water or a soap solution in a spray bottle with water and a drop of liquid soap.
• Tomato hornworms. These caterpillar-like pests attach themselves to the underside of a tomato’s leaves, making it difficult to find them right away. Look for stems missing leaves, leaf wilt, or dark green pellets on a lower leaf indicating the presence of a hornworm above. Hornworms feast on both tomato leaves and green tomatoes. Control by handpicking.
• Slugs. When un-staked tomatoes flop on the ground, slugs are happy campers – they get easy access to leaves for munching. Consider staking tomatoes. Sprinkle Epsom salts where slugs creep to bid them good bye. Or capture slugs with slug traps. 

Get more details about these three tomato pests … and be sure to check out our Tomato Pests Pinterest board for more helpful information.

Best Tips for Growing Tomatoes

Tomato Growing Tip #36: You Can Control Aphids With Water

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Get more tips for growing tomatoes on our Tomato Growing Tips Pinterest board.

Battle Pests Safely -- and WIN!

Safer and other insecticidal soaps	GardenSafe and other slug and snail baits

More About Tomato Pests