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California Gardening

Oleander next to Tomatoes

15 years ago

We are growing some tomatoes in raised boxes along our back fence. A row of Oleanders are growing on the other side of the fence (in our neighbor's property). Blossoms drop onto our tomato plants... not a tremendous amount, but a few here and there. And, no doubt the roots of both are intermingling.

With Oleander being poisonous, is there any risk to our tomatoes.... or worse, to us? This will be our last year growing tomatoes in this spot (too much shade cast by the roses in front) but we're thinking of replacing the tomatoes with blueberries.

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Comments (3)

jean001a
15 years ago
Dangerous ONLY if you eat the oleander parts.
hosenemesis
15 years ago
Yummy! Good idea- blueberries will be fun. No problem at all with the oleander. I had my tomatoes under an oleander for a few years and never once had a problem.

If you do get oleander sap in your mouth, by the way, you will know it immediately. The bitter taste is accompanied by a burning sensation, different from hot peppers, more like a chemical burn. It takes a few hours to go away. I don't recommend it. Tastes worse than pill bugs. I will never understand why that dog kept chewing on it.
Renee
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jenn
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you. We'll be sure to wash the tomatoes well before eating them.

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