Early Blight

Early blight is a common tomato disease that is caused by a fungus. It is usually a problem in the spring. Symptoms include small, sunken, dark brown spots with yellow haloes which are first noticed on the lower leaves and stem. The spots enlarge to form a "bulls- eye" pattern. Eventually the fruit and upper portion of the plant becomes infected.

Control: Mulching helps keep soilborne spores from being splashed onto the leaves. Avoid overhead irrigation. Rotate tomatoes to other areas of the garden annually. Clean up crop debris. Fungicides are available.