Tomato Blight is on its way to my area... how to protect our plants

[eastkygal]

So, we've just been warned by our extension office that the tomato blight is on its way. It wiped out all of our tomatoes last year, and we have 3 gardens this year, two of which have lovely tomato plants! They recommend chlorothalonil fungicide, which I don't feel right using. Are there any organic things we can use. They said it could dessimate our crop in just a few days, and once they have it there is no stopping it.

[laohaire]

FOR REAL???????

Ugh, I can't believe this. Two years in a row, though this time early.

I think they use a copper spray for blight, that is considered organic. But I'll pass.

[Ruthiegirl]

Nope, that's the rub with tomato blight. No organic method of killing it. I am in Maryland and it has been found here all ready.

I don't see it on my plants (yet ), but if I do I will carefully pull out all infected plants, throw them away in the trash (do not compost) and then be careful about clearing out all of the potatoes in the fall. The blight will overwinter on potatoes and then simply infest the garden again next year. And do not save seeds from infected plants -- the fungus can survive on the seeds.

In the meantime, I trying to insure that my plants are as healthy and as strong as possible. Blight attacks weak plants -- so be sure to water properly (damp soil, but not water logged). Water stressed tomatoes are easy pickings for blight.

I also prune my tomatoes heavily. I select the strongest branches and cut the rest. This allows for more air circulation that will allow the plants to stay dryer. Blight is a fungus and thrives on wet plants. Pruning means I get fewer fruits, but better quality and (hopefully) blight free.

Tomato blight is a serious bummer.

[emnic77]

Mulch mulch mulch mulch and more mulch!!! Soil on the leaves will spread it to the plant. mulch keeps soil off the leaves. After a rain that splashes soil onto the leaves, go wash off the leaves (pay close attention to the undersides) with clean water (hosing them off works great). But seriously, mulch as much as possible, keep the soil away from the plant. It's your best bet to avoid (this worked for us last year, our area was obliterated with blight).

from a minnesota extension article:

The most effective way to treat tomato blights is to prevent them. Here is a list of do's and don'ts:

*Mulch to prevent splash-up from rain.
*Don't water overhead.
*Don't water in the evening.
*Give your plants plenty of space.
*Don't work around your plants when they are wet.
*Don't plant tomatoes in the same place where tomatoes, potatoes, peppers or eggplants were grown last year.
*Clean up all debris in the fall and don't compost it.
*Prune out diseased branches promptly and destroy.
*Keep weeds at a minimum.
*Plant resistant varieties when available.

These recommendations are especially important if your crop has late blight. In that case, skip planting tomatoes, peppers, potatoes or eggplant in the same location for at least one season.

We have greatly reduced the Septoria in our tomatoes by using landscape fabric as a mulch. It can be purchased at garden centers.

We do not generally recommend using fungicides for tomato blights. By the time gross symptoms appear on your plants, it is too late to apply a fungicide. If you do use a fungicide, you must use it at the very first sign of the disease. Fungicide recommendations can be found in the publications below.