Traditionally, the time to plant out tomatoes is Labour weekend when all risk of frost and inclement weather is over. In some areas of the country blight and rot is a big problem for tomatoes, as they ripen due to high humidity. Here are some old-fashioned tips for blight-free tomatoes, which I have tried and can attest that they really do work:
• Buy copper upholstery nails or some copper wire from your hardware store. When your plants are about 10cm high, place the nail or wire through the centre of the stem of your plant 5cm up from the ground – the copper will help keep blight at bay.
• When planting, sprinkle a mix of 1 tbsp milk powder with 1 tbsp sulphate of potash in the hole before putting your seedlings in.
• Buy plants which have been grafted onto disease-free stock.
• Train your plants over some old umbrellas which have had their fabric removed to reveal the spikes. This forms a lovely canopy and also allows air to circulate between the plants.
• Use this spray below, which was sent to me by a reader:
1 cup powdered milk
4 cups warm water
1 spray bottle
- Mix the milk and water together in the bottle until fully dissolved. Spray on any tomato plants that are showing signs of distress, such as fungal infection or blight. Do this weekly or until the fungus is completely gone.
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