Tomato Blight Alert
Blight moves fast in humid weather—here’s how to slow it and salvage fruit without synthetic sprays.
Prune lower leaves early, aiming to remove the lowest 6 to 8 inches above soil line. This lifts foliage away from splash-dispersed spores and improves airflow. Do it on dry, breezy afternoons to let wounds heal fast; never prune during damp conditions. Keep the canopy open so sun reaches inner stems—this raises leaf temperature and deters late blight spores that favor cool, wet nights.
Serenade Max or copper-based fungicides (labeled for edible crops) offer protectant coverage when applied weekly before symptoms show. Mix and spray in the morning so leaves dry quickly. Do not use on fruit already ripening—switch to cultural tactics instead. Always follow label intervals: overuse invites resistance and harms beneficial microbes. Apply before rain if forecast calls for prolonged moisture.
Harvest green tomatoes when first blush appears and night temps stay under 50°F—those will ripen indoors without blight. Discard any fruit with soft spots or water-soaked patches immediately. Sort harvest daily and wipe fruit gently with vinegar-dampened cloth if muddy. Store in single layer in a dark, 60–65°F spot; ethylene from apples can speed ripening but won’t fix blight damage.
