Gardening expert Monty Don has shared his top tip for protecting tomato plants from blight, a disease that becomes more prevalent from late July due to warm, humid conditions. In a recent blog post, Don emphasised that removing the lower leaves of outdoor tomato plants is the "best defence" against this destructive disease.
Why Blight Strikes in Late July
Blight is a fungal disease that attacks tomato foliage and fruit, causing rot and potentially leading to near-complete crop failure in severe cases. According to Don, the risk of blight increases from late July because of the combination of high humidity and warm days and nights. While tomatoes grown in greenhouses are less susceptible, they can still suffer significant damage.
Monty Don's Simple Prevention Method
Don wrote: "From late July, the risks of blight increase, dependent as it is upon the combination of high humidity and warm days and nights. The best defence for outdoor tomatoes is good ventilation and stripping off the lower leaves as the fruits develop, which helps this."
Removing the lower leaves not only improves air circulation, reducing humidity around the plant, but also allows ripening tomatoes to receive maximum sunlight exposure. Don advises gardeners to monitor their tomatoes closely and perform this task regularly throughout the summer months.
Additional Tomato Care Tips
Don also shared his general tomato care routine. He plants outdoor tomatoes in June and ties them regularly as they grow, simultaneously removing side shoots and watering thoroughly. For indoor tomatoes, he provides a weekly seaweed feed, though he notes that his soil is already "plenty rich" for outdoor plants.
Common tomato problems include blossom-end rot, fruit splitting, and aphids, which are particularly prevalent in peak summer. However, blight remains one of the most serious threats. Potatoes are also vulnerable to the same disease.
By following Don's advice and stripping off lower leaves, gardeners can significantly reduce the risk of blight and help their tomatoes ripen successfully.
