Garden Mold Prevention: Clean Up Old Plants

Last year's mold on tomatoes/squash won't return if you remove all old plant debris. Spores overwinter on dead stems/leaves.

Spring Prep

1. Remove every stem, leaf, root from last year.
2. Turn soil (buries any remaining spores).
3. Rotate crops (tomatoes → beans, squash → greens).
4. Mulch (straw/plastic) prevents soil splash.
5. Drip irrigation only.

If Mold Appears

Spray fungicide (chlorothalonil, copper) at first sign. But prevention = sanitation.

Clean start = healthy garden.