What's the first step in tomato blight treatment when symptoms appear?
Written by
Olivia Mitchell
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.When you see dark spots on your tomato leaves, prompt action is essential. Begin tomato blight treatment with the removal of all infected foliage, using sterilized pruners dipped in a solution of bleach. Put all infected material in a bag for immediate disposal and never compost it. Apply copper fungicide within twenty-four hours to protect the remaining healthy tissue.
Correct removal methods protect the entire garden. Use bypass pruners, not anvil types, which crush stems and do not make good cuts. Sterilize tools by soaking them in a 10% bleach solution between pruning each plant. Prune less than one-third of the foliage at a time, and do so gently, to avoid sunburn damage to the plant.
Soil Preparation
- Solarize beds at 120°F for 4-6 weeks
- Maintain pH 6.2-6.8 with lime amendments
- Rotate nightshade crops every 3 years
Moisture Control
- Install drip irrigation systems
- Water before 10 AM only
- Apply 3-inch straw mulch barriers
Plant Selection
- Choose EB/LB resistant varieties
- Space plants 24-36 inches apart
- Use north-south row orientation
Checking for problems before their onset prevents loss before it happens. Inspect plants every three days during periods of humidity. Look for water-soaked lesions or target-shaped spots. Write down what is found to pinpoint problem areas for the next year. Early intervention will save as much as 70% of your harvest.
Recovery focuses on supporting stressed plants. Seaweed extract can be applied every 14 days to help support the immune system. A shade cloth of 30% shade should be provided for sunburned fruits. Blemish-free tomatoes should be harvested 7 days after the last spray. With proper care, new growth should appear on the plants in some cases within weeks.
Read the full article: Tomato Blight Treatment Guide: Control & Prevention
