(Harmony) Tomatoes are the most commonly grown vegetable in United States’ gardens. Their nutrition, flavor, productivity, and versatility have made them extremely popular with both cooks and gardeners. Proper management isn’t difficult, but does require having an understanding of the needs of the plants and being able to identify some of the key pests which can negatively impact plant growth and fruit yield.
Northern Lights Master Gardeners, Inc. are sponsoring a hands-on workshop the evening of Tuesday, July 28 at the Harmony Arboretum Demonstration Gardens to help home gardeners better manage their tomato plants. The workshop will start at 6 p.m. and will be led by UW-Madison, Division of Extension Crops/Soils Educator Scott Reuss. The focus of the workshop will be the management tasks which improve plant health and minimize impacts of plant pests. Tomato pests will be showcased to assist with proper identification of the different diseases and insects and how they affect your tomato plants, along with the various options gardeners have to avoid, manage, or mitigate the damage from those pests.
He will concentrate on the plant management strategies that can be used to minimize pest damage and pest populations, but will also talk about pesticide options and how to use them safely if they are your management choice. Pests to be discussed include Septoria leaf spot, early blight, tomato hornworm, slugs, earwigs, and non-pathogenic problems such as blossom end rot, catfacing, and splitting.
Attendees will receive Extension publications related to many of these common tomato pests as part of this free event. Samples of the issues that your tomatoes, or any other plants, are experiencing can be brought along, to the event for identification and discussion.
The Harmony Arboretum demonstration gardens are located at N3890 Marinette County Hwy. E, ½ mile south of Hwy. 64, about 7 miles west of Marinette. All persons are welcome to attend this free seminar. If you have any questions, please contact Reuss at 715-732-7510 or e-mail to scott.reuss@wisc.edu