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Sudden Garden Wilt: Herbicide Drift Suspected

Chemical Drift Diagnosis

Simultaneous wilting/death of tomatoes, collards, cucumbers, peppers in Detroit = herbicide drift (broadleaf weed killer) or soil sterilant runoff from municipal weed control.

Evidence Check

Brown grass/weeds nearby?
Recent spraying on adjacent lawns/sidewalks?
City weed program schedule?

Response

Don't replant same spot this year—residuals persist.
Container garden with clean soil.
Report to local extension/municipality.
Soil test for contaminants if persistent.

Prevention

Barrier hedge (tall grass/shrubs) between garden and spray zones.

Growing Vegetables: Garden Mold Prevention: Clean Up Old Plants; Troubleshooting Wilting Tomato, Cucumber, Squash Seedlings; Troubleshooting Poor Beet Germination and Tomato Blight Prevention; Mushrooms in Raised Beds? Harmless. Cantaloupe Taking Over? Redirect Vines.; Grass Invasion in Garden Beds: Organic Suppression Methods; Identifying and Preventing Leek Rot Caused by Onion Maggots; Vegetable Gardening Basics: Grow Better Food for Less Money; Starting a Vegetable Garden: A Beginner's Guide to Planning, Planting, and Harvesting; Vegetable Gardening for Beginners: A Complete Guide to Growing Your Own Food; Planning a Vegetable Garden: Soil, Layout & Companion Planting

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