Tomato Disease in Clean, Mulched Garden: Solarization and Resistant Varieties

Situation

18 hybrid tomatoes (supposedly resistant) showing leaf curl and black splotches in clean, mulched bed. Likely soil‑borne viruses/wilts persisting for years.

Options

• Solarize: Black plastic full season — kills pathogens but loses a year.
• Container culture: Sterile mix in pots — bypasses soil.
• Verify resistance codes: V, F, N, T, A. Not all "resistant" cover everything.
• Send samples to county extension for precise ID.

Reality Check

Once soil is infested, rotation (3+ years) and resistant varieties are the only practical path. Solarization works but requires fallow time.