Blight - Tomato & Potato

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Dave W, May 19, 2011.

  1. Dave W

    Dave W Total Gardener

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    Some of the gardeners using GC will already be aware of this, but there is a free subscription service "Blightwatch" run by the Potato Council that will email subscribers when a 'Smith Period' (weather conditions likely to result in blight) occur.
    To use it you have to register with a user name, password and your postcode and you'll then receive warnings for your local area.

    Last year the first Smith Periods in my area occurred on 6th,7th and 8th June. There were 5 in July, 3 in August and 4 in September.

    Link is here >
    Blightwatch.co.uk - the essential service for professional potato growers
     
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      Dave W, May 19, 2011
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    • Phil A

      Phil A Guest

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      Cheers Dave,

      Log in was a bit of a trial but done now:thumbsup:
       
      Phil A, May 19, 2011
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    • NewGardener

      NewGardener Gardener

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      I am already receiving the emails, it comes in handy :)
       
      NewGardener, May 19, 2011
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      It's a usefull resource, but it is aimed at commercial growers. It relies on 'agents' (ADAS officials) investigating suspect blight occurances and testing and confirming outbreaks. They don't look at garden or allotment plots. So it works fine if you live in an area surrounded by potato farmers. But if like me there are no commercial growers nearby then you won't get any local email warnings, even though you and your neighbours have all had blight in your gardens. Having said that I do use it and look at the maps, because if the rest of the country is being affected then it's probably coming my way as well.

      So don't assume that there is no blight about just because you don't get an email blight alert :dbgrtmb:
       
      JWK, May 19, 2011
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    • Kristen

      Kristen Under gardener

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      I get the emails. Registered about 3 years ago. So you only have to register "once" so to speak.

      I take note of the Smiths Periods, but like John have not had an outbreak warning email - but Suffolk is a dry old place so maybe we have escaped Blight of late ...
       
      Kristen, May 20, 2011
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    • Steve R

      Steve R Soil Furtler

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      I was warned on May 7th by these people of a full smith period. Never known it so early before this year.

      Steve...:)
       
      Steve R, May 20, 2011
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    • Scrungee

      Scrungee Well known for it

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      Thanks for the link, last time I searched I could only find one for the USA.

      I put my own postcode in + others to the NES&W, including 2 where I know there's commercial growers.
       
      Scrungee, May 20, 2011
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