Get plant diseases analyzed

Q. What can I do about late- season diseases in my vegetable garden?

Lucille from Youngstown

A. Once we get to September, disease control in the home vegetable garden gets increasingly difficult. And, for the most part, we just need to live with it, harvest what we can and be ready to clean up the garden after the first frost.

This is especially true with fungal diseases — such as the white powder covering the leaves of your pumpkin plants. Humid days and long-lasting foggy mornings are a major cause of disease pressure this time of year. The longer it takes for plants to dry off, the longer diseases have to grow in their “perfect environment” of low light and high moisture.

Fall cleanup will be your next chore. As you notice plants are “worn out” and done producing for the season, be sure to pull them up and remove them from the garden area. After the heavy frost, remove the remaining plants. Leaving plant debris only creates more opportunities for disease next year. Some debris can be composted; others should be discarded. Consider a cover crop to give your garden some life through late fall and into spring.

Additionally, the first frost of the season will be upon us before we know it. Prepare to harvest your green tomatoes and other vegetables quickly when the forecast calls for a frost or freeze. Though the green tomatoes may be damaged, a light frost will not hurt all vegetables in the garden. Visit the link below for details on how to finish up harvesting each crop when Mother Nature says it is time.

Vegetable disease resources: http://go.osu.edu/veggies

Harvest Guidelines for home gardens: http://go.osu.edu/frostharvest

Eric Barrett is OSU Extension educator for agriculture and natural resources in Mahoning County. Call the office hot line at 330-533-5538 from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and Thursdays to submit your questions.