Cement Foundation Walls Can Dehydrate Adjacent Garden Plants

A gardener notices tomatoes and peppers failing along a garage foundation wall. The cause: concrete acts like a sponge, wicking moisture away from nearby roots, and retains heat, further drying soil.

Solution

1. Apply a non‑toxic concrete sealer to the foundation wall (pull back soil first, coat wall, let cure).
2. Provide extra irrigation to the affected zone — it's a great spot for heat‑loving crops like tomatoes and cucumbers if watered adequately.

This simple fix stops the moisture tug‑of‑war and turns a problem area into a productive microclimate.

— The Long Island Gardener