As soon as the nights become cooler and the morning dew stays longer on the leaves, tomatoes find themselves under threat. First dark spots appear, then the fruits blacken, and in a few days you can lose almost the entire harvest.

There is a simple means that many gardeners use for prevention — baking soda. It helps create less favourable conditions on the leaf surface for the development of fungal diseases, if applied before the appearance of strong damage.

How to prepare the solution:

• 1 tablespoon of baking soda; • 10 liters of warm water; • 1 teaspoon of liquid soap or a few drops of adhesive agent.

Mix everything well and spray the bushes, paying attention not only to the upper, but also to the underside of the leaves.

When to carry out the treatment?

It is best — in the evening or in cloudy dry weather. If after spraying a heavy rain has passed, the procedure should be repeated. For prevention it is enough to treat the plants approximately once every 7–10 days.

For a better effect:

• do not thicken the plantings;
• remove the lower leaves that touch the ground;
• water only at the root;
• regularly collect ripe fruits, not leaving them long on the bushes.

Remember: soda will not cure already strongly affected plants, but as a preventive means in combination with proper care it can help reduce the risk of late blight development and preserve the harvest healthy longer.

And have you already used baking soda for protecting tomatoes?