Marianne's Response

What to Do When a Garden Is Infected with Blight

Yesterday, I realized that my gardens and entire yard had been infected with blight! I’m heartbroken!

Looking back, it started with a plant I brought home in January 2023 (it is now 15 months later). It died in the exact way everything else is dying, but I didn’t recognize it. So, the infection has taken over a year to establish. I read that debris on the ground is bad. But what about mulch? Last year was the first year I ever put any down. Do I need to take it all up now?

I’m using two different sprays: one for edibles (organic) and one for everything else. Is there a systemic granule that will help with this?
It’s been winter, so everything has been brown anyway, and I didn’t notice that the things that should be green and happy now were brown. These are plants I’ve had for decades that mean very much to me. I am so sad!
Thank you for any advice you can give.

Posted by Patti Gurel on March 18, 2024

Marianne's Response

I am so sorry about your plant losses. I am also surprised that so many plants would die. Perhaps spring growth is just later this year. You should not need to remove all your mulch, but be sure the mulch is not piled up next to stems or trunks of plants. Also, be sure you do not overwater, as blight thrives in damp soil and poor drainage. There are no systemic granules that I know of for treating blight. Good air circulation and not crowding plants is the best advice I can give you once you pull the mulch away from the plant stems. Hopefully, when the weather warms up you will be surprised that all is not lost. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti

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