What Do You Put on Tomato Plants for Blight

Tomatoes are a popular and delicious fruit that many gardeners choose to grow in their gardens. However, blight can quickly ruin an entire tomato crop if left unchecked. Tomato blight is a fungal disease that attacks tomato plants, causing them to wilt, turn yellow, and eventually die. So, what can you put on tomato plants to prevent blight?

Preventing Blight with Good Gardening Practices

Before we dive into specific treatments for tomato blight, it's essential to understand that the best way to prevent it is through good gardening practices. This includes crop rotation, proper watering techniques, and good soil health. Crop rotation involves planting tomatoes in a different area of your garden each year to prevent the build-up of blight spores in the soil.

Proper watering techniques involve watering your tomato plants at the base, keeping the leaves as dry as possible to prevent the growth of fungal spores. Similarly, you can prevent the spread of blight by pruning the lower leaves of your tomato plants to increase airflow and reduce moisture. Finally, maintaining good soil health by amending your soil with compost or other organic materials can help keep your plants healthy and prevent the spread of disease.

Using Fungicides to Treat Blight

Despite your best efforts, your tomato plants may still fall victim to blight. In this case, it's essential to act quickly to control the spread of the disease. One option is to use a fungicide specifically designed to treat fungal diseases like blight.

There are several fungicides available on the market that are effective against blight, including copper-based fungicides, chlorothalonil, and others. When using a fungicide, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully, as the concentration and application rate can vary depending on the product.

Natural Remedies for Tomato Blight

If you prefer a more natural approach to treating tomato blight, there are several remedies you can try. One popular option is to use a baking soda solution. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 gallon of water and spray your tomato plants thoroughly. This treatment can help raise the pH of your plant's foliage, making it more difficult for fungal spores to grow.

Another natural remedy for tomato blight is the use of neem oil. Neem oil is a natural fungicide that can help kill fungal spores and prevent the spread of disease. Mix 2 tablespoons of neem oil with 1 gallon of water and spray your tomato plants thoroughly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, preventing and treating tomato blight requires good gardening practices and timely intervention. By rotating your crops, practicing proper watering techniques, and maintaining good soil health, you can minimize the risk of blight in your tomato plants. However, if your plants do fall victim to the disease, using a fungicide or natural remedies like baking soda or neem oil can help control the spread of disease and save your crops.