Ideally you should start caring for your tomatoes early in the season, if you prefer organic methods you should be thinking of getting some companion plants in around your tomatoes that will deter common pests such as greenfly and aphids. Garlic is a good choice for this, or if you prefer flowers then lavender is also a good deterrent. Other choices are herbs such as sage or thyme.

Another organic approach is to encourage predators of the pests, the best known is of course the ladybug or ladybird as it is known in the UK. They are attracted by plants that produce lots of nectar; we have buddleia in our garden because it is really easy to grow and produces lots of flowers.

For treating an infestation of tomato pests, you can try a simple soap and water mix and I have read recently that adding a splash of vinegar will make this even more effective.

Disease Control for Tomatoes

The main source of disease for tomatoes comes from the soil, so keeping lower trusses clear of the ground through pruning will help avoid contact with the ground. Mulching around the bottom of the plant is also a good way of preventing contact with the soil.

Other than that you should have planted your tomatoes at least 18″ apart for good air circulation and when you water don’t pour the water all over the plant, introduce the water to the base of the plant. This will help prevent the build up of moisture on the leaves which can cause mildew or bacterial infection.

Don’t let the weeds around your tomato plants get a good hold, catch them early and clear them away. They will only compete with your plants for nutrients and may transfer problems to your plants if they are allowed to come into contact.

Caring for tomatoes is very often just using common sense and keeping an eye out for problems. If you do find any diseased plants you may be able to cut out the diseased portions for disposal if you catch it early enough. Failing that you may have to remove the whole plant to protect the rest of the crop. Always remember to bag and bin diseased plants as well so that you don’t contaminate compost or reintroduce the problem some other way.

Visit tomato pests and problems for a fuller overview of taking care of tomatoes.

Some of the most common tomato pests are : -

• Aphids
• Whitefly
• Spider mites
• Leafhoppers
• flea beetles
• tomato hornworm

The list goes on but there are often common ways to rid yourself of the pests, for instance when they are still eggs and if you are not too squeamish, you can simply wipe them off by pinching the leaves gently between your fingers and thumb and using your thumb to squash the eggs and wipe them off the leaf at the same time. A bit messy but quite effective.

Larger bugs like caterpillars can be picked off and dropped into a jam jar with some appropriate cocktail that will see them off.

An effective way of dealing with whitefly is to mix a fluid of one part liquid soap and four parts water in a spray bottle and dowse the whole plant with the mix.

There is also the option of introducing tomato friendly bugs that feed on the unfriendly bugs, a good example is a ladybug (ladybird as it is known in the UK).

You also have the option of using chemical pesticides of course but I have to be honest that there are so many different types that I think what most people need is a pest control book or bible. Below is one of several 5 star reviews for a book that is available on Amazon at a great price, incidentally everyone who left a review for this book gave it 5 stars.

This is the Review

“This could be the most useful book I own. It gets more use than my dictionary. Tiny Game Hunting offers practical and effective methods of capturing or killing common household and garden pests; everything from insects and spiders, to lizards and snakes, and mice and gophers. It focuses on environmentally safe extermination methods. Many of the traps, repellents, and pesticides can be made cheaply with common items found in the kitchen or garage. More than just pest control, the book offers some basic information on the habits and history of the critters. Have a problem with a pest? I bet it’s in here. It’s honestly one of the best books I’ll ever own!”

This is the book: –

Have to say it covers pretty much everything you need to know on tomatoes and a whole bunch of other stuff as well, really is a good buy and well worth it for any budding gardener. But don’t take my word for it, take a look at the reviews and with the power of Amazon you can open the book up and look at the contents, even if you only go as far as the index to satisfy yourself you will have the information you need.