Hello Bluemater, I grow organically so I will only give organic solutions. Save your back, don't remove any soil. But ADD compost! This is very easy. Mound up some shredded leaves and grass clippings (If you still have any) and layer an inch or two of good soil on top. By planting time next summer not all of the leaves would have composted but that's OK, plant through them. Then, use a good 3 to 5 inch organic mulch.

In a 3 x 5 bed I wouldn't plant more than two or three plants. Proper spacing also helps cut down disease.

Winter Rye planting is not needed. It's just extra work for a small home garden. Better (and easier)to lasagna compost as mentioned above.

I agree with Bigdaddy. Adding a good dose of compost will help a great deal. Early blight is just as much airborn as soil born so save yourself all that unnecessary work. Many gardeners grow in the same soil year after year out of necessity or choice so you are safe to that degree.

It is a small bed so overcrowding is your most likely contributing factor to control and if you aren't opposed to the use of fungicides, check out Daconil. It is an effective blight preventer.

Dave

bigdaddyj and digdirt...thanks abunch guys! I do overplant (5 to 6 of them) as I just want to try as many varieties as possible...mayble I'll build a few Earthtainers to handle the overflow and just put 3 in the bed...

I planted the winter rye in September (which was no big deal and is a good 6 inches high) and will turn it under in early spring...I usually add some cotton burr compost and good topsoil every spring too...

Do what BigDaddy said. But first, remove ALL the dead tomato plants from the beds, roots and all. Do not leave any tomato plant residue in the bed.

If you had Early Blight, you might even want to pile some dry leaves atop your thoroughly cleaned bed and burn them (if local code allows) to kill any EB carry-over in the top inch or two of the soil. Then pile on the organic matter as suggested by BigDaddy.

Hey Bill, that's good you reminded to clear all last summer's debris first. That really helps too.

BTW, those Colts take you down to the last minute of every game nowadys. Hope my heart holds up! LOL! Manning vs Manning Super Bowl?

I pulled out all the plants in Sept. though I'm sure there were some of the smaller roots left...maybe this spring I'll turn it and burn it!

I get organic compost/mulch from the county recyclcling center. It's waaaaay cheap and wonderful stuff.