Growing your own tomatoes is fun, but not when they get infected with late blight. However, if you take proper precautions, you shouldn't have any problems with it.
When summer finally arrives and the tomato plants produce yellow flowers, gardeners' hearts beat faster every year. Because then it won't be long before the plants bear small tomatoes. When they finally arrive and develop quite well, a fungus often thwarts the gardener's plans. If it rains often, the leaves of the tomato plants cannot dry off. The result: late blight is spreading.
Typical symptoms of late blight
Infestation with late blight (Phytophthora infestans) is usually very easy to recognize. Typical symptoms are brownish spots on the leaves and stems. In addition, the leaves on the underside are often covered with fine fungal hairs. A short time later they turn completely brown until they wither completely. Once the leaves are affected, it doesn't take long for the fruit to be damaged. They turn brown and you can no longer think of eating them. Incidentally, it is not just the ripe fruit that is affected. Even the green tomatoes are not immune to the disease.
How to prevent an infestation
Tip 1 - choose the right location:
Always plant the tomatoes in a sunny but sheltered spot in the garden so that the leaves can dry off quickly after a downpour. The tomato plants must not be in the shade of larger plants either.
Only plant tomatoes in loose soil. In this way you prevent waterlogging from the outset. Therefore always work sand into very loamy soil.
Tip 2 - Stretch the foil roof:
So that the leaves don't get wet in the first place, it is advisable to stretch a foil roof or set up a tomato house. This way the tomatoes get enough sun without moisture getting onto the leaves.
Tip 3 - Don't plant tomatoes too close together:
Break leaves that are too close togetherout of. The tomato plant gets more air and light. Regular thinning of the tomatoes is therefore important.
Always plant the tomatoes at a sufficient distance from each other (60 to 100 cm). The closer the plants are together, the higher the risk that an infested tomato plant will infect the neighboring ones.
Tip 4 - always water from below:
When you water the tomatoes, only water the bottom. The leaves and fruits must not get wet.
Tip 5 - Change location annually:
Grow tomatoes and potatoes in a different place in the garden each year. The two types of vegetables are among the main host plants and the fungi often remain in the soil for several years. Also, always plant tomatoes and potatoes as far apart as possible.
Tip 6 - Disinfect buckets and tomato sticks:
Clean plant pots and tomato sticks from the previous year thoroughly, because the spores of the fungus can overwinter on them. Simply pour boiling water into the buckets and over the poles.
Tip 7 - remove infested plant parts immediately:
If you discover infected leaves or fruit, remove them immediately. However, do not dispose of them in the compost, but in the household waste.