Tomato Garden Killer Alert for Southern Tier

Once again, I started my tomato plants from seed in April and if you're plants are nice and healthy looking right now, be aware, that may not be the case around harvest time. Now is the time to spray and protect them if you want tomatoes because the late blight is here.

Farmers and gardeners in the Southern Tier have been following the possibility of late blight coming to the Southern Tier. Yesterday, Cornell University pathology lab confirmed late blight on tomatoes and potatoes in northern Tioga County.

I stopped by a local garden center today to pick up a bottle of copper fungicide.  If you spray your plants now, it will protect your plants from late blight.  In my case, I have tons of blossoms, so I plan to spray tonight or tomorrow morning with the copper fungicide.  The best time to do this is early morning or at dusk.

If you intend to spray your tomatoes and potatoes -- now is the time to do it. Remember, the fungicide must be on the plant prior to exposure to the infective spores.

Please tell your friends and neighbors--if we want to enjoy tomatoes this summer, it is time to treat for this destructive pest.  Share this post with your tomato and potato loving friends so everyone knows that late blight is here.