Tomatoes with blight

[WendyS]

Have just returned home after a fortnight's absence to find all my tomato plants affected by blight & the tomatoes rotting.  Can I chop up the vines and add them to the compost heap or will this ensure the disease lingers on and gets returned to the soil when the heap is eventually dug out?

[Clanad]

If you've had a lot of rain, it could well be blossom end rot.  This is caused by a lack of calcium in the plant and is not a fungus.  If, however, the leaves of the plant appear mildewy, then a fungus such as powdery mildew is present and it would be best not to place the material in hte compost.  Additionally, if a fungus is present you may wish to treat the ground, after cleanup with a product called dormant oil.  It is sulphur only and environmentally safe.  It does smell like the dicken's though, so don't get any on your clothes or shoes.

Best of luck for next year!