Neighbour planted tomatoes, peppers and cosmos in a new bed. In less than a
week everything has died. There appears to be some accelerated growth, such
as occurs with herbicides, but there have been no chemicals used anywhere in
or near the garden. Could toxic chemicals from a brand new plastic hose have
leached into the water that was used on the plants? (Husband says no, wife
says water appeared milky). Anyone experienced anything like this? Weather
has been fine -- no frost, not particularly hot, and sufficient rainfall.

Thanks,


The milk water that came from the hole was due to a powder used in the
production process used to make the hose. Think of it as talcum powder. I
gather it's to stop parts of the hose from sticking together. It wouldn't be
toxic, but it may change the acidity/alkalinity of the water enough to cause
young plants to suffer. If the plants went yellow after watering it may be the
powder in the hose was alkaline and the plants suffered death by lime induced
chlorosis. Basically the powder stopped the roots taking up nutrients. Then
again it might just be coincidence and nothing at all to do with the hose at
all.

Dave.