[Jackypam]

Can they go on the compost heap?

[Paul Plots]

That's a good question... I think my neighbours on the plot would have said "No"

I would probably have stuck them on providing the heap was very active hoping the spores would be destroyed by heat.

I wonder what other people would do?

        In a bag and off to the dump I suspect.

[JayG]

Some time since I last looked it up, but given the problems it causes I'm still surprised that there are still unanswered questions about exactly how potato/tomato blight overwinters in the soil and plant material.

Allium rust does overwinter on dead plant material - if you can reliably produce a hot compost heap it may be worth risking it, but I don't compost anything I know or even suspect has suffered from disease or infestation.

[Jackypam]

That sorts it for me, thanks. They go to the dump!

[Paul Plots]

That sorts it for me, thanks. They go to the dump!

A wise choice I guess... but, if the leeks suffer the same problem this year (due to the weather conditions) don't be in too much of a rush to dig them up and destroy them. A mild case of rust is something leeks can grow through.

My plot neighbour lifted and destroyed his whole crop when he spotted signs of rust. I didn't. I thinned removing a few showing the worst signs, removed some outer leaves on others but left most of the crop where they were. The weather changed - drier. The leeks grew away and provided a lovely crop of decent sized leeks through to February.

My neighbour wasn't happy... his had gone off to the tip.

[Jackypam]

Thanks Paul.  I'll keep a close eye on the young ones.