The Ugly Truth About My Tomato Harvest This Year

My Zone 6b tomato harvest failed completely this year. From severe tomato blight to pest damage and massive gardening mistakes, here is the ugly truth about growing tomatoes in my backyard garden. In years past, the pantry shelves were lined with dozens of mason jars filled with pizza sauce, pasta sauce, and salsa. This year? The jars are staying empty. Between heavy rains, zero airflow, and a possum treating my beefsteaks like an all-you-can-eat buffet, my tomato patch was a complete disaster. Sometimes the garden humbles you. I am breaking down the mistakes I made—from falling victim to "tomato greed" and planting too few varieties, to neglecting my pruning and weeding routine—so you do not repeat them. Next spring, the San Marzanos are moving to the front of the garden where the breeze can reach them, and we are coming back stronger! Dirty Fingernail Gang, I need to live vicariously through your harvests! Let me know down in the comments: What tomato products are you making with your yield this year? 👇 Join The Dirty Fingernail Gang! 👇 Subscribe here:    / @crocgardener   Check out the main channel:    / @crocgardener   Get your AgroThrive Fertilizers Here: https://agrothrive.com/?ref=pgjpfxma Get your True Leaf Market Seeds Here: https://tidd.ly/40SZXuD 🌱Shop My Garden Favorites:🌱 🌱Wondering what I'm using to start my seeds? You can find my favorite tools below. Note: These are affiliate links! Using them costs you nothing extra, but it helps fund the next big project on the channel so I can keep bringing you fresh content.🌱 🌱Get your True Leaf Market Seeds Here: https://tidd.ly/40SZXuD 🌱LED Grow Lights. Pack of twelve, does two shelves for me! https://amzn.to/4r5NqiN 🌱The Old Timer: https://amzn.to/3LOH6gu 🌱Heavy Duty Shelves: https://amzn.to/4pWoGZq 🌱10X20 Heat Mats: https://amzn.to/4sGSqMd 🌱20X48 Heat Mats: https://amzn.to/45gugy9 🌱6/12 Pack Seed Starting Kits: https://amzn.to/45lXQlY 🌱Bootstrap Farmer Heavy Duty 10X20 Trays: https://amzn.to/49u4ER0 🌱Bootstrap Farmer 72 Cell Air Prune Trays: https://amzn.to/4jM9uME 🌱Spray Bottles: https://amzn.to/4jJ4fgK 🌱Small USB Fans: https://amzn.to/4pLAFc8 🌱3.5in Pots for Uppotting: https://amzn.to/3ZjmbFn 🌱3.5in Deep Pots for Uppotting: https://amzn.to/45Lzims 🌱Check out the Avid Armor USV20 here: https://amzn.to/4aHUYlf Video Chapters 0:00 - The Empty Mason Jars 0:38 - What Are You Making With Your Tomatoes? 1:21 - Mistake #1: Poor Airflow & Planting Location 1:51 - Mistake #2: Heavy Rain & Tomato Blight 2:25 - Mistake #3: The Possum Buffet 3:44 - Mistake #4: Tomato Greed & Wrong Varieties 6:55 - The Reality of a Bad Gardening Season 8:40 - Cleaning Up Diseased Tomato Plants 9:26 - The Game Plan for Next Year 10:21 - Outro & Final Thoughts Hashtags #TomatoHarvest #GardenMistakes #TomatoBlight #Zone6b #GrowingTomatoes #DirtyFingernailGang #BackyardGarden #GardenFailsVideo Chapters 0:00 - The Empty Mason Jars 0:38 - What Are You Making With Your Tomatoes? 1:21 - Mistake #1: Poor Airflow & Planting Location 1:51 - Mistake #2: Heavy Rain & Tomato Blight 2:25 - Mistake #3: The Possum Buffet 3:44 - Mistake #4: Tomato Greed & Wrong Varieties 6:55 - The Reality of a Bad Gardening Season 8:40 - Cleaning Up Diseased Tomato Plants 9:26 - The Game Plan for Next Year 10:21 - Outro & Final Thoughts Hashtags #TomatoHarvest #GardenMistakes #TomatoBlight #Zone6b #GrowingTomatoes #DirtyFingernailGang #BackyardGarden #GardenFails