So I heard that alfalfa adds nitrogen to the soil and I used it as mulch for my tomato plants ...?

and now they are turning pale and the growth seems to be stunted. I was trying to curb the curly leaf syndrome, which seems to be in check after pruning off all the leaves while the existing tomatoes develop and turn red (yum!) What can I give them, other than a good pruning when the initial harvest is eaten?. I have shade cloth to cover them this weekend. I live in Scottsdale, AZ

So I heard that alfalfa adds nitrogen to the soil and I used it as mulch for my tomato plants ...?
It sounds like your plants have pseudo-curly leaf virus. If so, the alfalfa is not at fault. (But, the alfalfa will actually rob a bit of nitrogen as it decomposes. It only adds nitrogen to the soil as it grows) If your tomatoes have curly leaf virus there is not much you can do except clean up the debris. They probably will not set another crop after this one.
Reply:While using alfalfa as a mulch may add some Nitrogen, this will only happen as it decays.


What you may be misunderstanding is that alfalfa is a legume ( like beans and Peas ). When it is growing it adds Nitrogen to the soil because of certain bacteria that live in noules attached to the roots. This is why alfalfa and clover are used as a cover or rotation crop.
Reply:you can also put down compost when you plant the tomatoes, as that also adds plenty of nutrients. also have a soil test done where the plants are, and determine if you need to fortify with minerals.

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