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Wet spring, septoria leaf spot question
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Posted by gardener_sandy z7 VA (My Page) on Tue, May 5, 09 at 7:44
| It's been raining for weeks it seems and I'm worried that the problem I had last year with septoria leaf spot on my tomatoes will return. I've amended the soil and it's good and rich so the plants are growing well. I'd prefer to start with something organic and not resort to chemical controls unless I have to.
In your experience, what actually works? I've read lots of advice but then see the rebutals saying things like milk or cornmeal don't actually work. I'd like to prevent the problem if I can, rather than treat it once it shows up. Help!
Sandy |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Wet spring, septoria leaf spot question
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A "rich" soil will not cure all problems although a soil that is well balanced will. Far too many people amend their soil and add heavy doses of fertilizers, often the wrong ones, which really compound the problem.
A well balanced soil, one with ample levels of organic matter and a pH in the 6.2 to 6.8 range should have ample nutrients available for tthe plants growing there when the plants need them, just not a large quantity of "stuff" now and very little later because water has moved those nutrients out of the soil and into the ground water where those nutrients are pollutants.
A large part of Integrated Pest Management is knowing why some problem may exist (poor soil nutrition often) and fixing that root cause. |
RE: Wet spring, septoria leaf spot question
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| Sorry if "rich" was the wrong term. The soil was already in good condition from several years of careful amending with compost and organic fertilizer. I added my own homemade compost plus a measured amount of balanced organic fertilizer this spring. The pH is 6.6. It is in good tilth. Fertilizer has always been added at the rate appropriate for the size of the beds and the crops being grown and compost at 1-3" yearly, more the first couple of years. Plants in the beds are growing well and look healthy at this time. What else do you need to know? Sandy |
Additional info
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| I had never had a fungal problem in these beds until last year when the spring was extremely wet, like this year. I haven't put down a mulch yet because it has been unseasonably cool but I plan to add it soon. Sandy |
RE: Wet spring, septoria leaf spot question
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| Sandy, kimmsr also wants to know how many worms your soil has (per square yard). ;-) Run out there and do an inventory. |
RE: Wet spring, septoria leaf spot question
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| Well, let's see... If I go dig up all the plants and check the worm population beneath them, I suspect I'll create more problems than I'll solve! LOL I did see some when I was planting but I failed to take a census to see how many were living in each hole. (Census surveyors been to your house yet? They were here Sunday at 6 PM.) Thanks for the tip, rhizo. Next time I'll count the worms I disturb. Sandy |
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