How to Kill North Jersey Tomato Fungi

Recognizing the Signs

• 1

  Examine your tomato plants. If you see green- or beige-colored circular lesions on the leaves, your plant is likely infected. These lesions will be about the size of a nickel and, in some cases, as large as a quarter.

• 2

  Look for a white powdery substance and/or spores on the underside of the plant’s leaves. The leaves may also have a greasy or wet appearance. Also examine the stem of the plant. Affected plants will have brownish black lesions on their stems.

• 3

  Examine the tomatoes growing on the plant. Ripe tomatoes affected with the blight will contain spots that look similar to bruises. Part of the tomato’s skin will also appear to be caving in. Unripe or green tomatoes will also contain brownish black spots that look like bruises.

Treating Tomato Plants

• 4

  Ward off the tomato fungus naturally by putting a few tablespoons of powdered milk into the soil in which your tomato plants are growing. Powdered milk will keep the soil healthy and prevent fungus from growing.

• 5

  Spray the leaves of your tomato plants with compost water. Compost water contains natural microbes that will ward off fungus.

• 6

  Immediately remove all affected tomatoes and plants if you should see signs or suspect that your tomatoes are infected with the fungus. Wear gloves when handling affected plants. Do not touch healthy plants until you have removed your gloves and washed your hands, to prevent spreading the spores.

• 7

  Place any affected plants and tomatoes in a garbage bag. Seal the bag with tape. Never place infected plant material or tomatoes in compost piles. Because the fungus is airborne, you want to do everything you can to keep it from spreading.

• 8

  Protect healthy plants by spraying them with fungicide. You can find fungicides at your local plant or garden supply store. During cool, rainy weather, when plants are the most susceptible to fungus, spray them with fungicide once a week.