![]() ![]() Try not to get the leaves or stem wet, as this can increase the likelihood of blight. When you water your plants, only water at the bottom of the plant. The further apart they are, the less likely they will contract early blight. This isn’t only a good gardening practice in general, but it will also help reduce the likelihood of a bad blight spreading quickly among your plants. Space AppropriatelyĮnsure adequate spacing between your plants. These vegetables, also members of the Solanaceae family, can be carriers of blight, too. In addition to potatoes, you should also avoid planting your tomatoes in areas where eggplant or peppers have been grown within the last two years. Don’t forget that these can linger throughout the winter months! In addition, you should plant your tomatoes in a different section of the garden each year to prevent the transmission of soilborne diseases. You should not plant potatoes or tomatoes next to each other, as they are both susceptible to blight. ![]() Utilize Crop RotationĬrop rotation can help prevent the passage of diseases in the soil. This will place your tomatoes at different stages of growth so that you don’t have to worry about an unfortunate case of blight wiping out your entire crop.Įarly blight is more likely to affect early-maturing varieties of tomatoes, so consider planting in succession (or planting cultivars that mature at different times) so that you don’t have to worry about the timing of a blight. Select Several Types of Plants – and Plant Them at Different TimesĬhoose a variety of plants that will mature at separate points. This will make it easier for your plant to withstand blight and other diseases. You should also plant varieties that are resistant to nematodes and wilt (indicated by a V, F, and N after the name of the specific cultivar). Only purchase healthy plants, and inspect any and all transplants carefully. Only Purchase Healthy PlantsĮven if you are getting a good deal on your tomato plants, never purchase those that seem to be sick or damaged. However, there are several ways it can be treated and prevented. Unfortunately, there is no perfectly reliable cure for early blight. Because the plant will have no more foliage to protect the fruits, the fruits are often damaged from direct sun exposure. The lesions will rapidly grow, with the surrounding plant tissue yellowing and then turning brown before the leaves die and fall off the plant altogether.Įarly blight does not usually affect fruits directly, but indirectly, it can be devastating. There will be dead plant matter in the center. Early blight will rear its head as small, brown lesions that look like bullseyes. What are the Signs of Early Blight?Įarly blight displays several telltale signs, with symptoms usually appearing after the first fruits appear on the tomato plants. Each can also affect different areas of the plant. These diseases are all remarkably similar, but generally affect your tomato plants at different times. There are several kinds of blight, including early blight, late blight, and Septoria leaf spot. It can lead to secondary diseases like damping-off, crown rot, leaf blight, and fruit rot – and it can ultimately kill your plants. The spores require moisture in order to advance to the next stage, so when rain comes into contact with them, they will begin to rapidly reproduce.Įarly blight is caused by the fungus Alternaria solani and causes a variety of symptoms. ![]() These spores are carried by the wind, water, insects, and animals, moving from infected plants before they are deposited on the soil or on new plants. This disease attacks systematically, rapidly destroying the stems, leaves, and fruits of your tomato plants. By Clemson University – USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series –, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link What is Early Blight?īlight is a common fungal disease that practically every gardener has heard of. A tomato leaf showing typical target shaped lesions of Alternaria solani. There are plenty of tips and tricks that you can put to good use to both prevent and get rid of early blight in your garden. From sunup to sundown, you’ve been out in your garden planting, watering, fertilizing, and pruning your plants, all in the hopes that your tomatoes will grow tall, verdant, and productive.īlight is one of the most frustrating diseases that can affect your tomato plants, not only because it is so devastating, but because many gardeners think that there is little they can do to prevent it. You have worked hard to cultivate a gorgeous crop of tomatoes. ![]()
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