Tomato and Zucchini Collapse: Fertilizer Burn Diagnosis

Too Much of a Good Thing

Simultaneous yellowing/wilting tomatoes and shriveling zucchini fruit after fertilizing = fertilizer burn (salt toxicity). Excess salts draw water from roots, causing "physiological drought."

Remediation

• Flush soil: Deep watering 3× over 2 days (if drainage allows).
• Add plain topsoil/compost around plants to dilute concentration.
• Stop all fertilizer for 3–4 weeks.
• Mulch to conserve moisture.

Prevention

• Soil test before fertilizing.
• Use slow-release organic (compost, manure) not synthetics.
• Follow label rates—more is not better.
• Water deeply after any application.

Recovery Outlook

Plants may recover if caught early. New growth indicates success. Severely damaged roots may not rebound.