Thank you all for the advice. I always thought the way to eliminate tomato pathogens was solarization. I'm glad to not have to do that (I might anyway).
But I still have the problem with tomato-diseases. Allow me to explain my set-up... I have raised framed beds about 12-16" high. The soil is a mixture of old bed soil, and 50/50 topsoil/compost from a local nursery, and some sand. I use only slow-release organic fertilizer in general. It is about 4-6-6.
I grow my own heirloom seedlings to about 12" high and transplant them deep in a 8" wide hole adding some of the fertilizer with crushed eggshells as I backfill, allowing about 4" seedling tops above ground. I've been gardening for 50 years and learned a lot from my organic Grandad. So I kind of assume I know what I'm doing.
BUT, last year the tomatoes struggled and this year, they are doing worse in the same spot (and one I planted in a different bed died too). I've lost 4 of the 12 plants. Yellow leaves from the bottom up.
Last year, I used red plastic mulch (impermiable) and added water jugs with spouts below-ground to keep them wet 2x per week (and of course it rains sometimes). This year I used black permeable fabric, so no watering issues. I water the plants at the surface and in mid-day for drying any dampness on leaves.
I have a moisture-meter to check the moisture at root level and it is "average" most of the time.
I could use more sunlight (tall neighbor trees) but I think that would show a more general plant weakness and some plants are doing just fine. I have 2 grafted tomatoes and they are doing great. I have even been foliar-spraying the tomatoes.
I'm at my wit's ends... What on Earth do I try next? There has to be something I am just not realizing...
