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Organic Gardening

Early v Late blight?

17 years ago

How do you tell the difference?

This is only our 3rd year doing this so we're still newbies. We didn't use any fungicide or anything other than organic fertilizer this season. Recently, tomatoes started yellowing at the bottom of plant (with brownish/blackish spots on the leaves) which is growing up the plants and then the leaves totally turn brown and die.

Hubby did research and believes it is blight, but which one? And if late, is it best for us to simply rip everything out (would KILL me to do that) but I also don't want the rest of garden infected. Tomatoes are in a raised bed w/ peppers, but there are cukes in the next bed and melons 3 beds down. If we could use something to save them I'd love suggestions on that too! Thanks!

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Comments (4)

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
17 years ago
A picture would help. Did you check out this site?

tj

Here is a link that might be useful: Cornell Disease ID
ericwi
17 years ago
We get similar symptoms on our tomato plants, usually toward the end of August. We are generally able to get a good crop of tomatoes despite the yellow leaves. I compost all of the refuse from the garden, including sick looking tomato plants. However, we have a slow pile, and material will sit in the pile for about 18 months before the finished compost is removed and put on the garden plot. As far as I can tell, the compost is free of tomato pathogens, because the tomatoes are generally healthy.
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sherrivanz
Original Author
17 years ago
Here are some pics. Hope these help!

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d167/dueinjuly/IMG_1560.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d167/dueinjuly/IMG_1562.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d167/dueinjuly/IMG_1565.jpg
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
17 years ago
Since it doesn't appear to be on the fruit or even the stems (at least my mature vision didn't see it) I don't think it's early blight. Septoria Leaf Spot may be a suspect.

tj

Here is a link that might be useful: Septoria

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