Controlling Early Blight on Tomatoes in Raised Beds: Fungicides, Watering, and Blossom Set

Phoenix-area raised beds show tomato leaf curl and drying from bottom up, poor fruit set. Two advisors said skip tomatoes for two years (not acceptable). Crop rotation practiced.

Diagnosis: Early Blight

A fungal disease, easily controlled with Mancozeb or Chlorothalonil (both labeled for tomatoes).

Cultural Controls

• No overhead watering—use soaker hoses or furrow irrigation.
• Spray weekly (check label).
• Apply "Blossom Set" to help fruit set in warm nights.

The expert starts spraying at planting in Tennessee where early blight is common.