Monty Don's Advice on Preventing Tomato Blight
Monty Don, the renowned gardening expert, has shared what he calls the "best defence" against tomato blight, a disease that becomes a heightened risk from late July. In a recent blog post, Don emphasized the importance of good ventilation and removing lower leaves to protect outdoor tomato plants.
Tomatoes are generally easy to grow and rewarding, but they are susceptible to several problems during ripening, including blossom-end rot, fruit splitting, and aphids. Blight, however, is particularly destructive, attacking both foliage and fruit and causing rot. It thrives in warm, wet weather and can lead to almost total yield loss in severe cases.
The Best Defence: Ventilation and Leaf Stripping
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." He advises gardeners to perform this task regularly throughout the summer, as it also helps ripening tomatoes receive maximum sun exposure.
Don plants his outdoor tomatoes in June and, once they are in the ground, ties them up regularly and pinches out side shoots. He waters them well but does not feed his outdoor tomatoes, as he says the soil is "plenty rich." For his indoor tomatoes, he provides a weekly seaweed feed.
Additional Care Tips
For cordon tomatoes (as opposed to bush or determinate varieties), Don recommends regular tying in and pinching out side shoots. Bush varieties can be propped up like herbaceous plants. He notes that greenhouse-grown tomatoes are less likely to suffer from blight but can still be affected. Potatoes are also susceptible to blight.
Gardeners are urged to monitor their plants closely and act promptly to prevent the spread of blight. By following Don's advice, they can protect their tomato crops and ensure a healthy harvest.
