I mulched my newly planted tomatoes with hay chaff (from a friend's horse barn) that had been sitting in a pile decomposing for over a year. A week (and a lot of rain) later, my tomatoes' new growth was stunted and corkscrewed. I think this is another variation on "killer compost" contaminated with the clopyralid family of herbicides. I am betting that the hay farmer sprayed his field with the new herbicide, and of course I never thought of that when I used the spoiled hay as mulch in the garden...

My question is how to deal with the tainted area. I have dug out all my lovely strong tomato plants and excavated the soil from the planting holes. Is this enough to get rid of the effects of the herbicide? I've already discovered that just replanting new plants in the same soil doesnt work -- they are starting to show the same symptoms as the original plants. I dont have the space to plant tomatoes elsewhere -- all my other beds are already planted for the season.

I am so bummed that I poisoned my beautiful organic soil, after years of hard work. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has dealt with this ultimate organic garden spoiler and restored the health of your organic garden.