I've enjoyed reading this thread, but somewhat surprised that no one else mentioned what has turned out to be my biggest problem this year: too much rain!
Here in the Pioneer Valley (suburbs of Springfield, MA) July turned out to be the rainiest one in many years. We had rain a majority of July days, with lots of clouds and gloom, too, so not nearly enough sunshine to satisfy the needs of my tomato plants.
Earlier in the season the several plants I had growing in large contractor-sized buckets were doing very well. Then came the wet July. Drainage holes previously drilled in the bottom of the buckets used to be sufficient for water run-off, but apparently not this year. Now, in early August, the leaves on nearly the entire lower halves of those potted plants are all yellow. Remaining leaves are pale green. I'm assuming that all the rain caused most of the fertilizer being used to just drain out of the soil without benefiting the plants.
My remaining tomato plants are in two 4' x 4' raised beds. Those plants now look weak and spindly from struggling to get enough sun. In addition to all the rain and cloudiness, one of the raised beds is now being shaded too much by a nearby pear tree. Next year I'll have to work to relocate that bed.
All the rain has also produced a bumper crop of crab grass in the lawn this year. Those broad grass blades take forever to dry, severely limiting when we've been able to mow.
Yes, I, too, am wondering if this will be my last year gardening. The effort I've expended does not seem to be producing enough positive result.
