Growing vegetables Crush, pour water and spray the tomatoes. No plague will touch them all summer long. Homemade protective spray for tomatoes

• Potato blight is one of the greatest threats to your tomatoes, able to quickly ruin the entire crop.
• There is a simple, home way to defeat it: a special garlic spray that has a fungicidal effect and effectively protects plants.
• Get to know the secret recipe for this natural elixir and learn how to protect your tomatoes step by step so that you can enjoy healthy and juicy fruit!

This is the only way to save your tomatoes from potato blight

Potato late blight (Phytophthora infestans) is one of the most dangerous fungal diseases affecting tomatoes. It can destroy the entire crop very quickly, so it is very important to protect against this disease. Here, first of all, prevention is necessary to help you protect your bushes and fruits against pathogens. Of course, you can think ahead and choose tomato varieties that are resistant or indifferent to it, but if the vegetables we grow are exposed to it, make sure that:

• Plant them in a sunny, airy place and at appropriate distances from each other.
• Avoid planting tomatoes near potatoes.
• Water the tomatoes in the morning, avoiding soaking the leaves.
• Provide tomatoes with adequate fertilization, avoiding over-fertilization with nitrogen, which favors the development of diseases.
• Regularly remove the lower leaves that touch the ground, as they are most exposed to contact with fungal spores.
• Topper tomatoes to limit their growth.

Additionally, it is worth using a home spray from time to time, which will effectively protect tomatoes against potato blight because it has fungicidal properties. How to prepare it? I write about it below.

Home spray for tomatoes against potato blight. How to make it?

One of the most effective natural remedies is garlic. It is worth preparing a home spray from it and using it on your crops. Prepare a garlic decoction and spray it on the tomatoes every few days.

You need it:

• 200 g garlic,
• 10 liters of water,
• 3 drops of dishwashing liquid.

Preparation of spraying for tomatoes against potato blight:

1. Crush the garlic. The more crushed the garlic, the more active substances will be released into the water.
2. Pour 10 liters of water over it.
3. Set aside for 24 hours: Cover the container and set aside in a cool, dark place for about 24 hours. You can stir the solution from time to time.
4. After 24 hours, strain the solution through a fine sieve to remove any remaining garlic.
5. Add a few drops of dish soap to the filtered solution and mix gently.

Garlic spray against potato blight. Use

Thoroughly spray all parts of tomato plants: the upper and lower sides of leaves, stems and fruit buds. Try to cover the entire surface of the plant evenly, but avoid excessive dripping of liquid from the leaves. Perform the treatment in the early morning or late afternoon, when there is no strong sun or wind. Avoid using garlic decoction during rain or immediately before it, so that the preparation is not washed away. Spray tomatoes preventively every 7-10 days or more often if conditions are favorable for the development of diseases (high humidity, heat). If you notice the first symptoms of diseases or pests, you can increase the spraying frequency to every 3-5 days for some time.

Symptoms of potato late blight on tomatoes

When our tomatoes are attacked by potato blight, you will notice characteristic symptoms:

• Leaves: Brown, irregular spots on leaves that enlarge rapidly. A white, fluffy coating may appear on the underside of the leaves in humid conditions.
• Stems: Brown, oblong spots on stems.
• Fruit: Hard, brown spots on fruit that quickly enlarge and cause rot.

Tomato varieties resistant to potato blight – choose wisely!

The key to success in the fight against potato blight is prevention, which begins long before the first spraying. Already at the stage of purchasing seeds or seedlings, it is worth paying attention to varieties with increased resistance to this disease. Manufacturers often mark such varieties with special symbols, so read the labels carefully. Choosing varieties such as certain cherry tomatoes or specially bred crosses can significantly reduce the risk of infection.

Remember, however, that even a variety called “resistant” does not provide a 100% guarantee of protection, especially in years with high disease pressure. These types of tomatoes are simply less susceptible to pathogen attack and cope better with infection, but they still require basic preventive measures, such as proper planting, watering and regular preventive spraying.

Other natural methods and home sprays for potato blight

Garlic spraying is not the only weapon in the organic gardener’s arsenal. Preparations based on baker’s yeast are equally effective and easily available. Thanks to their properties, they create a protective barrier on the leaves, which makes it difficult for fungal spores to develop. To prepare such a spray, simply dissolve 100 g of fresh yeast in 10 liters of water and set aside for about an hour. After this time, the solution is ready for use.

Another proven method is to use baking soda. Its alkaline reaction changes the pH on the leaf surface, creating an unfavorable environment for the development of blight. To do this, dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda and a few drops of gray soap (which will increase adhesion) in a liter of water. Both yeast and baking soda sprays should be used preventively, regularly every 7-10 days, and after each heavy rain.

When are home remedies not enough? Professional plant protection products

Unfortunately, in the case of an exceptionally rainy summer or when the first symptoms of the disease have been missed, natural methods may prove insufficient. If the disease spreads rapidly and numerous spots appear on the leaves and fruit, using professional plant protection products may be the only salvation for the crops. These are so-called fungicides, i.e. fungicidal preparations intended to combat pathogens attacking crops.

When choosing a preparation in a gardening store, look for products containing active substances effective against Phytophthora infestanssuch as copper or azoxystrobin. Remember to strictly follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding dosage and, most importantly, the withdrawal period. This is the minimum time that must pass from the last spraying to the fruit harvest for them to be fully safe for consumption.