Injury from 2,4-D

Glyphosate herbicide drift on tomato plant

In recent years much damage has been caused in some home gardens and yards by the careless use of 2,4-D and related weed-control chemicals. Often 2,4-D drifts in from nearby lawns and fields. Tomatoes, melons, sweet potatoes, and beans are some of the vegetables susceptible to 2,4-D. If you must use 2,4-D or similar weed killers, follow these precautions:

  1. Spray only when wind is quiet.
  2. Keep pressure very low and nozzle directed downward.
  3. Do not apply insecticides or fungicides with a sprayer that has been used for weed killers. It is exceedingly difficult to remove all of the residue from a sprayer contaminated with 2,4-D.

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