Monty Don, the renowned horticulturist and BBC Gardeners' World presenter, has issued a crucial July warning for gardeners, emphasizing the importance of tackling potato blight early. The expert, known for his personal cottage garden at Longmeadow in Herefordshire, urges gardeners to complete what he calls a 'July ritual' — digging first early potatoes on his birthday, July 8.
Describing July as 'a month to relish', Don says: 'It is a time of plenty with meals eaten outside in the warm summer nights. But the light gently begins to draw in and from now on, the careless abandon of early summer has gone. Every day has become precious.'
Potato Blight: A Common July Problem
Potato blight, a fungal disease, is a frequent issue in July, appearing in two forms: early blight and late blight. Both can rapidly damage plants and tubers. Warm, humid conditions typical of July create ideal circumstances for the disease to flourish. Don stresses the need for gardeners to look out for 'telltale signs' and take preventative action.
According to Don, 'One of my yearly rituals is to dig first early potatoes on July 8th, my birthday. The harvest varies hugely depending on when I planted them and the subsequent weather, but tradition demands I lift enough for a celebratory meal.' He adds, 'I now only grow first earlies because the risk of blight is so great.'
How to Save Potatoes from Blight
Don explains that potato blight 'rots first the haulms and then, as it is washed into the soil by rain, the tubers making them unstorable if not inedible.' The fungi develop very fast when temperatures are high and air humid for 23 hours, conditions increasingly common in July.
The crop can be saved if foliage is removed immediately after noticing chocolate-colored circular areas on leaves. Don advises: 'Remove all foliage and compost it (the fungi do not survive the composting process) and make sure that there is a good soil covering over the tubers. Then wait for a dry day and harvest the crop.' First and second early varieties are less likely to be affected because they mature faster.
Preventative Measures for Blight-Resistant Potatoes
To minimize blight risk, gardeners should implement preventative measures from planting. Choosing blight-resistant varieties like the Hungarian Sarpo range, Sarpo Mira, Cara, and Setanta potatoes helps endure challenging conditions. These varieties are known for outstanding resistance to viruses and late blight.
Additional strategies include planting in an open location with proper airflow, spacing plants adequately to allow foliage to dry quickly after rain, and practicing crop rotation to avoid disease spore buildup. Gardeners may also apply a protective fungicide from June, especially during damp conditions, reapplying after a few weeks to protect new growth.
