Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: mashbintater on November 02, 2008, 19:36
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Just as some of my tom plants were fruiting, the stems developed dark patches. Leaves died off & toms turned brown. I only managed a small production of very tasty toms, despite all my best efforts.
The thing is, can I compost the dead & dying plants, or do I have to chuck them out?
Also, what can I do with my dead sunflower plants (that the birds planted)? The coaltits had a wonderful time de-seeding the heads. I don't have a shredder so do they go out with the council collection?
I've still got lots of rooting & potted blackcurrant canes if anyone's interested, plus chives & parsley, shame to waste them.
Thanks
Mashbintater.
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Probably frost damage, my last few where still growing last weeks before the hard frost we had now all brown and wilted.
If your sure it's frost damage then yes compost but if you think it may be viral eg blight then burn or bin seems to be the way.
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Hi Richyrich7
this began in Sept so it's not frost. What do I do with the compost they're in? Some have marigolds thriving in them, the basil got eaten tho. Thanks.
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Sounds like blight then. The compost their in can be used for a variety of things, growing lettuce etc in next year or as a soil conditioner. To be on the safe side just don't use it where you will put Tom's or spuds next year.
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Re the sunflower plants, if they're still in the pot / ground I'd leave them there overwinter for the birds to eat from.
If you've got them up, you could tie the stems into similar lengths, tie the lengths into a bundle, and put it somewhere unobtrusive for ladybird (or other helpful creature) habitat over the winter.
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Thanks fellas, very much appreciated. Sunflower heads are empty now, weather permitting i'll tackle both issues tomorrow :D