Controlling Early Blight on Tomatoes
Question from Sean:
I’m trying to grow tomatoes in hadowridge area of Vista and some plants have early blight. What can I do to cure and minimize spread or do I need to pull these plants so blight does not spread
Thank you and I bought your book and will try suggestions on page 138.
Answer from Pat:
Many gardeners are having trouble with blight on tomatoes this year due to heavy rains. I recommend cutting off the damaged leaves and spraying with Serenade, which is a registered and fully organic product. Follow all package directions. Also, unless you are growing plants in containers, water deeply and infrequently rather than shallowly and often. In future years, as ways to control early blight, I recommend the use of crop rotation, garden cleanliness, care when purchasing plants, growing disease-resistant varieties and not pruning the plants. Also, as a preventative, next year begin early spraying with Serenade. Serenade works better as a preventative than as a cure. (Early blight is also discussed in the Q&A elsewhere on this blog.)
Thank you very much Pat. I love your book and am learning every day I get out in the garden
Dear Sean:
Thank you so much for this comment. I am so glad you are finding help in the book, and yes, there is nothing like learning by doing. In my new organic book, tomato blights are described and discussed on page 171. Unfortunately, Probiotics 4 Plants Defensor Bacterial Inoculator has been temporarily removed from the market while the company reorganizes their distribution system, but Serenade (a registered product) is widely available and now sold in easy-to-use hand-held spray containers. Let me know how it works for you. (It may not cure the problem but most likely will help.)