Re: From the NYTimes, a cautionary tale for backyard gardeners

**"* B* <l*@msn.com>**

Denise,

Thanks for the NY Times links. Unfortunately for many home gardeners if they didn't get the news on this pathogen when it started to spread (literally and figuratively) about 5 weeks ago, they surely are doomed at this point.  With our continued humid and stormy conditions, Late Blight has only continued its march throughout the Northeast.   

In reading the article yesterday, what I couldn't figure out and what has surprised me in all the reports to date is a key data point that seems to be missing.  If you DON'T have the pathogen in your home garden, you CAN take measures to prevent getting it via the wind which is a primary means of how this disease has been spreading.  Simple application of bacillus subtilis which of course needs reapplication after rain can protect desired vegetation in home gardens from getting this dreaded disease.  Commercial treatment of large scale farms and wholesale spraying of an entire property is not something I'm suggesting, but to spray your tomato patch, maybe squash plants, beans, etc. might be something to consider. 

The other technique to try is to spray an anti-dessicant on the desired vegetation and surrounding plants.  This same approach has been used successfully with roses to prevent black spot, etc.  Many of us on this list have been approached by the folks at GHI to endorse Moisturin 5, a protective plant coating product that the manufacturer tells us acts in just such a way to not only lock in moisture but also to block out insects and disease.  It's about the only hope we can give homeowners as they come into the extension office asking for how they can manage their gardens, even if they don't have the disease. 

Lorraine 

Lorraine Ballato 
Grow the best plants you can by converting your containers to self-waterers easily and cheaply.  Go to
http://www.successfulselfwateringcontainers.com<http://www.successfulselfwateringcontainers.com/> to get the full story.
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