How to Prevent and Manage Tomato and Potato Blight in Your Garden

Few things are more heartbreaking than watching a thriving crop of tomatoes or potatoes suddenly collapse due to blight. This fungal disease spreads rapidly in warm, damp conditions and can ruin your plants in just a few days. But don’t worry, we’ve learned how to prevent and manage tomato and potato blight in the garden without resorting to harsh chemicals.

Here’s what works.

Watch the Weather and Plan Accordingly

Maintain Good Spacing and Airflow

Dense planting traps moisture and encourages blight. Here’s some things you can try:

• Space tomatoes and potatoes generously
  
• Stake or cage tomatoes to lift foliage off the ground
  
• Remove lower leaves as plants grow to improve airflow
  
• Mulch the base of plants to avoid soil splash

Healthy airflow is key to keeping spores from settling.

Water at the Base, Not Overhead

Overhead watering encourages damp leaves and spreads disease. Water at soil level, ideally in the morning, so foliage can dry off quickly. Drip irrigation or a watering can with a long spout helps keep water right where it’s needed at the roots.

Remove Infected Plants Immediately

If blight does strike, don’t hesitate. Remove infected leaves or plants entirely and dispose of them, don’t compost them. Infected material can harbour spores and reintroduce the disease later.

It’s painful, but swift action can save neighbouring plants.

Use Preventative Sprays (Organic Options)

You can apply an organic copper-free fungicide or a homemade solution like bicarbonate spray in high-risk weather. These won’t cure blight, but they can help slow its spread.

A weekly spray routine during blight alerts can offer a buffer zone of protection.

Harvest Early if Needed

If blight threatens your crop, it’s better to harvest slightly early than lose the lot. We check potatoes for maturity once the tops begin to yellow and lift them before any signs of infection appear.

Blight is a tough opponent, but not unbeatable. With careful planning, smart planting, and quick response, you can prevent and manage tomato and potato blight in your garden season after season. Staying one step ahead means you still get to enjoy that homegrown salsa or buttery mash, even in the wettest summers.