My Tomato Leaves Are Yellowing — Here's What I'm Trying (And What You Should Too)
My tomato leaves are yellowing and falling off in my hand. I'm a first-time gardener in Nashville and I'm figuring it out in real time — here's what's wrong and what I'm trying to fix it.
Three weeks in. Most everything looks fine. The tomatoes and I are having a disagreement.
I planted my first vegetable garden about a month ago. Everything was going great until it wasn't.
Two of my tomato plants started developing yellow leaves about a week in. I did what any reasonable person does — I ignored it for a few days hoping it would resolve itself. It did not. So this morning I went out to investigate, clipped the yellow leaves off, and about half of them just fell off in my hand before I even touched them. Which is either completely normal or deeply alarming. I genuinely don't know which.
Here's what I do know: I'm a first-time vegetable gardener in Nashville, it's May, and my tomatoes are struggling. So I did what I always do when I don't have the answer: I Dr. Googled. Here's what I found.
Why Tomato Leaves Turn Yellow: The Most Common Culprits
There are actually several reasons tomato leaves yellow, and not all of them are catastrophic. Here's what I'm working through:
1. Overwatering (or inconsistent watering) This is the one I suspect most because, well, it’s me watering them. Even when the soil feels dry on top, the roots can still be sitting in too much moisture underneath. Yellowing lower leaves that fall off easily (like mine did) is a classic sign of overwatering stress. I'm backing off the water and letting the soil dry out more completely between waterings.
2. Not enough sun My tomatoes get direct sun from about 10 AM to 2 PM, then shade the rest of the afternoon. That's technically enough (tomatoes need 6-8 hours), but in Nashville's heat, I'm wondering if the combination of intense midday sun followed by cool shade is creating stress on the plant. Something to watch.
Exhibit A. Those yellow leaves fell off in my hand this morning. We're figuring it out.
3. Pests — specifically spider mites I checked the undersides of the leaves this morning for spider mites — tiny bugs, webbing, or small spots. I didn't find anything obvious, but spider mites are small enough to miss, so I'm keeping an eye on it. If you're seeing yellowing plus tiny dots or a dusty look on the leaves, that's worth watching more closely.
4. Nutrient deficiency Yellow leaves can also signal that your plant needs more nitrogen or magnesium. If the yellowing is happening mostly on older, lower leaves, that's often a nutrient issue rather than a watering one. I'm considering adding a balanced tomato fertilizer this week to rule this out.
5. Natural leaf drop Apparently, some yellowing and leaf drop on the lower leaves is completely normal, especially as the plant grows and focuses energy upward. If it's only the bottom leaves and the rest of the plant looks healthy, it might just be the plant doing what plants do.
What I'm Actually Doing About It
Here's my plan, and what you might want to try if your tomatoes look like mine:
First, I clipped all the yellow leaves off today. “Clipped” is a loose term. More like, they effortlessly fell off in my hand as soon as I touched them. Either way, the yellow leaves are gone. This stops the plant from wasting energy trying to save leaves that are already gone.
Second, I'm adjusting my watering. Less frequent, deeper watering rather than a little every day. I want the roots to reach down for moisture, not stay shallow.
Third, I'm adding tomato fertilizer this week to rule out nutrient deficiency.
Fourth, I'm checking for pests every few days — undersides of leaves, any webbing, any unusual spots.
And fifth, I'm watching and waiting. Which is the part of gardening I'm horrible at.
The Honest Update
I don't have this figured out yet. That's the truth. I'm three weeks into my first vegetable garden and I'm troubleshooting in real time, just like you might be.
I'll be back in six weeks with a full update — what worked, what didn't, and whether these tomatoes actually made it to summer. Come back and find out with me.
In the meantime, my cucumbers are thriving, my herbs are doing exactly what they're supposed to, my beautiful cedar raised beds are saving my back, and somewhere in a very large pot, horseradish is establishing itself for the fall. So it's not all bad news out there.
he cucumbers are thriving and very smug about it.
Marigolds and lavender doing their job as pest control. At least someone is on task.
This is the horseradish. Won't be ready until fall. I'm already excited. That's a whole other story.
[STAY TUNED — Part 2 coming in six weeks]
What have you tried that’s worked for your yellow tomato plants? Drop me a comment below and give me any tips! I’m learning right alongside you.
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Simple Summer Front Porch Ideas
There’s a quiet kind of beauty at the end of summer — soft storms, slow mornings, and the way light starts to change. In this post, I’m sharing how I styled our front porch and garden beds to reflect that feeling: with a magnolia wreath, faux-and-real plant pairings, a cozy candle in the window, and a few simple touches that whisper “welcome” to the season ahead.
A Soft Goodbye to the Season.
Realistic magnolia leaf wreath
There’s a certain kind of goodbye that doesn’t announce itself.
It lingers—like the last golden hour, the steam from a coffee cup, or the way a summer storm rolls in slow and sweet.
That’s how our front yard feels right now.
We’re not to fall yet, but the light is starting to shift. The air has a different hum. And I’ve been leaning into that quiet in-between with a few simple touches outside our front door that feel rooted, relaxed, and ready for what’s next.
Here’s a peek at what’s setting the tone:
1. A Magnolia Leaf Wreath that Feels Like Home
Magnolias have always said “Southern welcome” to me. This season, I found a magnolia leaf wreath that looks rich and lifelike without being too bold. The leaves have just enough variation in tone to feel dimensional up close, and it holds up beautifully on hot days and through passing storms.
I love how it brings subtle movement and warmth to the front door — a gentle nod to what’s been blooming, and what’s still to come.
2. Faux Window Box Plants (That Don’t Look Faux)
My secret to great looking window boxes in the dead of summer
I used to swear off faux plants outdoors — but hear me out. When done well, they can be a game-changer for curb appeal, especially in those tricky spots where the hose won’t reach or the light’s inconsistent.
Here’s my formula for getting faux window boxes right:
Keep your distance: If they’re far from the road or sidewalk, you instantly get a little visual grace.
Mix your textures: Think beyond boxwood! I layer in different shades and varieties of faux green amongst the pink and white flowers. The thrillers, fillers, and spillers rule can also apply here, just like with real plants. Varying the heights and shapes keeps it lush.
Surround them with real greenery: Ground them (literally) with live plants in the beds below. My new limelight hydrangeas add real movement and seasonal charm nearby — the blend makes everything look intentional and full.
🌿 Shop my exact window box picks here →
3. The Layered Front Door Mat Look
Layered front door look
You know I love a layered moment. At the door, I kept things neutral — a large, natural woven base mat topped with a simple cream look with tassles. It adds texture without competing with the wreath or the soft green tones and color of the window boxes.
This combo is part of my Front Porch Edit →
Ranger Station Tennessee Tomato Leaf candle
4. That Tomato Leaf Candle in the Window
If summer had a scent? It might be my tomato leaf candle — bright, earthy, and unexpectedly nostalgic. I’ve been keeping it lit in the front window lately, just above the flower bed view. It makes even an afternoon rainstorm feel like a little ritual. I’m bummed I couldn’t find the Ranger Station brand I love (local to Nashville!), but you can find some of their products on Amazon. I did find a tomato candle in beautiful red glass that I’ve added to my favorites list…
See it in my Summer Home Scents list →
5. Summer Storms + Soft Light
Maybe my favorite part of this whole front yard refresh? The summer storm footage I caught the other day. The limelights bobbing in the wind. The wreath gently shifting on the door. The smell of rain, the sound of quiet.
You can feel the season stretching out… not quite done, not quite gone. It’s a mood. Check it out here.
PIN IT FOR LATER
A neutral summer porch with subtle Southern charm and soft-season transitions 🌿
Pin this summer front door look with stained glass windows and realistic magnolia leaf wreath!
A Slow Sunday Ritual: Coffee, Cobbler & Calling Mom
There’s something sacred about a slow Sunday. The kind where the sunlight filters through the curtains just right, coffee brews in the French press, and you finally have time to call your mom back. This morning’s ritual? A quiet kitchen, barefoot steps, and the sweet, familiar comfort of baking peach cobbler from scratch — because rest doesn’t always mean doing nothing. Sometimes, it looks like remembering where you come from and stirring love into something warm.
Some Sundays call for a reset.
Not a productivity sprint. Not a fresh start with big intentions.
Just… a quiet morning. A warm cup of coffee. A scribbled to-do list with call Mom right at the top. A little sunlight stretching across the dining room table.
That’s the kind of Sunday I love the most.
It’s the kind where the French press does its thing while I water the plants. Where I flip through old recipe books until I land on something that smells like comfort.
This week? It was peach cobbler. The kind you don’t have to fuss over — just juicy fruit, a little sugar, some butter, and a delicious crust that comes together in one bowl.
It baked while I talked to my mom on the phone. We didn’t solve anything big. We just caught up. I could hear my dad in the background asking questions; trying to be in the conversation by way of my mom. They were spending the weekend at their mountain home getaway in the Carolinas. I asked if they had seen a return of their “neighbors” (aka a mama bear and her two cubs).
Coffee in a summery orange grove mug with a family recipe book
A vintage water spayer spritzing a snake plant in a white pot
Steaming coffee being poured from a french press into a summery mug
Carolina peach cobbler summer dessert fresh out of the oven
That’s what makes these simple slow activities a ritual — not because it’s always the same, but because it matters in the same way every time. They ground me. They warm the house. They remind me what’s enough.
If you’re looking for a little comfort today, here’s the cobbler recipe I always go back to. I adapted it from my dad’s original recipe: Simple, Southern, and full of soul.
Peach Cobbler Recipe — click here.
Simple Summer Kitchen Table Decor for Everyday Moments
A simple summer kitchen table setup that took ten minutes and made the whole room feel more like home. A wood tray, fresh blooms from the garden, a seasonal candle, and one good vase. That is really all it takes.
There’s something grounding about a table that feels lived-in but lovely. I’m not talking about holiday centerpieces or tablescapes that require a Pinterest degree — just a few intentional touches that make your kitchen feel warm and rooted in real life.
This week, I pulled together a few simple decor touches I’ve been using lately:
A round wood tray to ground the space
Fresh greenery (a gift from my neighbor’s garden!) in a bud vase or recycled jar
A seasonal candle to add warmth
A white textured vase that doubles as sculpture
You can see the full table in this short video, and I’ve saved everything I used — or close lookalikes — in this LTK collection if you want to browse.
Why Keep It Simple?
Because beauty in the home shouldn’t feel like a production.
This table setup took me all of 10 minutes — and made the whole space feel more intentional.
Shop the Look ↓
This Simple Neutral Tray (a timeless neutral base- under $30!)
Terracotta Vase (I love it empty!)
A summer scented candle from one of my favorite brands, Paddy Wax
More Table Moments to Come
I’m planning seasonal versions of this same space — next up: early fall textures and maybe a rustic bowl of pears.
If you like soulful, cozy home style with a little bit of imperfection, I’ll send you seasonal inspiration as the months change. Sign up [here] — the candles will be lit, and the pears will be perfectly overripe.
A simple summer kitchen table setup that took ten minutes and made the whole room feel more like home. A wood tray, fresh blooms from the garden, a seasonal candle, and one good vase. That is really all it takes.