Q: While teaching a SFG class I got a question that perhaps you might be able to answer.  One of the ladies planted her tomatoes in her front yard and one of her neighbors told her not to eat the tomatoes because being in the front yard they absorb the exhaust fumes from the cars going by.  Do you know anything about this?      Thanks,

Bev from Oregon

A: As far as tomatoes being affected by the exhaust from cars, that is something I have never heard of as being a problem.  To be on the safe side, however, you may want to contact your local County Agricultural Agent and ask him that question.  They are paid to answer questions about all your local conditions. They know best about your weather, your soil, your plants, the varieties and your season. So they should be able to answer any questions you have.  Please let us know what you find out so we can pass that information on to others.

Yours truly,

Mel B.