Find out what they sprayed. I would be willing it was 2-4D.

Did they spray the plants directly or was it drift or even volitization. Most of my tomatoes are growing out of the Volitization of 2-4 D in my high tunnel.

Keep the plants well watered, don't fertilize. If it was just drift, they will grow out of it. They may be delayed, but they should live.

I am speaking from experience and the answers I got for the same problem.

Jay

If they insist on continuing the spray program then ask to be informed in advance so you can cover your plants.

Dave

Thanks Jay and Dave. I talked with the crew and they will notify me when they are going to spray. The neighbors play structure is in the bed directly behind the fence where they are spraying so liberally as there aren't any plants over there for them to worry about. They did agree not to spray there anymore "unless necessary". They did use 2-4D and it must be very capable of drifting high as it crossed over my 6 foot privacy fence and onto the tops of the plants. As a precaution, while the plants are still small enough I'll put heavy plastic bags draped over the tops of the cages as you suggested Dave.
Jennie

2-4D can drift for 1/2 a mile. Probably further on a really windy day but I learned about the 1/2 mile from personal experience.

Pro lawn care workers should already be aware of that and act accordingly, especially in populace neighborhoods, but that may be too much to expect given their mind-set.

Dave

When you hit them with a lawsuit to replace the soil and plants you've put in then maybe that mindset will change! I'd inform them that If my plants don't perk up shortly after you leave I'm going to the courthouse. Their insurance will pay the first few incidences but then It's time to file charges of neglect or dangerous use of chemicals. That could be the big bucks. They should only be spraying when it's calm and with no people around. I'd be out sitting on the fence the next time they came and do some occasional choking and gagging. Then take a trip to the hospital while leaving the webcam running to get the rest of the picture. All landscaper and lawn services should know this stuff. We need to let them know they can't get away with killing our plants. My neighbors know when to spray because I told them so and if the didn't they would be buying everything to correct the problem their laziness started. When they start having to buy good lumber and good soil for raised beds because they screwed up the current soil they'll soon realize they need to be more careful.

"They should only be spraying when it's calm and with no people around."

Yeah, this is the law - and yes, it's a law. If you're unsure, read the language on any bottle of weed-b-gone (2,4-D).

Sadly, I see lawn services spraying all the time - even on the windiest days.

I haven't seen many lawn services lately, but I can only assume that's to do with the economy - people are cutting back on herbicide / fertilizer treatments - works for me.

I would suspect that even if the wind were blowing in the opposite direction, or not at all, you'd still be effected.
Tomato plants are VERY sensitive to 2-4D.
I think they can be effected by amounts as small as 3ppb (yeah, that parts per billion). What they sprayed on your
neighbor's lawn was more in line with 30,000 ppb, so it
doesn't take much for your tomato plants to show the effects.

I put dried grass clippings as a mulch on plants last year.
A few days later the tomato plants began curling. After
ruling out other possibilities, I realized that the grass
clippings had trace amounts of herbicide on them.... 7 WEEKS! after it had been put down!
Thus, tomato plants are very sensitive to this stuff.
As suggested above, water thoroughly as that will help the
plants recover. I did that last year and all of my plants
went on to produce well....

Lee

P.S. Which dwarves did you get from Craig?

Great, they are spraying a dioxin contaminated substance where the kids play
(likely using an ester based form which volatilizes easier and is more likely to have residual dioxin).

I have watered the plants thoroughly, they still look pretty rough though. It is encouraging to hear that other people have had similar damage and their plants made it through and still produced well. I think I will lose the top three branches on the German Red Strawberry. In all my years growing tomatoes I have never tried a heart, so I am hoping this one comes through!

Lee, I have Summertime Gold, Summertime Green and Rosella Crimson. I have never seen such stocky stems on a tomato! Can't wait to taste the tomatoes to see what they are like and to see the growth habit as they mature more.

One of my sons lives in a HOA where some of the neighbors would rather give up their children than give up their lawn care service but some are open to discussions about it.

So how open are your neighbors to discussions about the hazards of these types of sprays and their associated lawn care services? Hazards not just to your plants but to themselves. Could this be an "opportunity to educate" or not?

Dave

Taz, maybe I should sue for a "broken" heart! LOL

Don't think that's possible but I'm sure you could for improper use of chemicals or reckless endangerment or something along those lines. They're not supposed to spray at all in wind and especially if a person is around. I'm not the kind of person that would sue for any ole thing but if someone ruined my crop due to ignorance I'd be looking to any way I could. They need to pay for plant and soil replacement.
I've already educated my neighbors and if the city or county sprays something that hurts my plants you can bet I'd go after them for replacement.

Dave, we don't know the neighbors very well, but I think they are like your son's neighbors in the HOA. Very young, 30 something, very moneyed for their age, with very young children that are never outside. Everything in and around their house is taken care of by someone else. Even their cars are washed once a week by someone who comes and details them in the driveway. I don't think they would be open to this kind of discussion. I wish I could. I called the landscape company again today and they were very receptive. They will not spray unless they call me a day in advance, and will not spray near the fence nor if it is windy. I have worked with this company and purchased from them often (they also have a garden center) so know they will do their best.
The two plants are still suffering. Hopefully they will make it.

If you called the NCDA you could report it and have an inspector come out to take samples/document.

IF there was any action it would not likely be on the home owners at all. The company could be made to reimburse losses and possible face a fine.