A cover crop, greens, a root crop, flowers even - something other than curcubits
and members of the Solanum family. Like many pathogens, Phytophthora tends to be
host specific A particular species of phytophthora attacks a specific species of
plant.

Cereoid+10+ wrote:

Something else................like?

Pam wrote in message
...
I'm saying if it is Phytophthora, he should not plant the same crops in
the same
place. Annual rotations of these types of crops are recommended anyway, as
the
disease problems which tend to affect them typically overwinter in the
soil and
will reappear the next season. Soil-borne fungal problems like
phytophthora (and
verticilllium and others) are extremely long lived, do not respond to
topical
fungicides and are virtually impossible to erradicate. Not all plants are
susceptible or to the same degree - he could plant something else in this
location.

Cereoid+10+ wrote:

Are you saying that he shouldn't use the garden at all this year until
the
fungus problem is eradicated?

Pam wrote in message
...
Your suspicion is probably correct - sounds a lot like Phytophthera,
which
is a soil-borne fungus and can affect each of these crops. It is not
easily
treated in the soil except through soil fumigation, which is not
practical
nor recommended for home gardeners. You absolutely need to plant your
vegetable crops in a different area this year - better yet, grow them
in
containers or make new raised beds with excellent drainage and good
quality
potting soil - do not use garden soil. Avoid overhead irrigation,
which
tends to spread the disease by dispersing fungal spores.

Here's a couple of links that might help:


http://www.umassvegetable.org/soil_c...tophthora_blig
ht.html



http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.corne...t_Phytoph.htm.

Soil-borne fungal diseases are a royal pain - rather devastating and
very
difficult to control.

pam - gardengal



Hawkeye wrote:

Last year, the two-family garden plot was properly prepared and
planted.
About 4-5 weeks into the growing season, plants began to show
signs of
some sort of disease (similar to blossom-rot). Foilage would begin
turning from green to yellow then to black and later falling off
from
bottom to top of plant. The plant "appeared to die from the ground
up.

Squashes went first, then tomatoes, then green peppers. Most beans
seems to survive longer but did eventually succumb. Only potted Hot
Peppers made it through the entire growing season but other tomatoes
potted suffered the same results as their cousins planted directly
in
the ground.

I live in Florida (NE) and about 1000 yds from a major creek.
Elevation
is about 15-20 feet above.

My suspicion is a fungal infection in the soil. ?? treatable with
copper sulfate???

Thanks in advance,

Robb