Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Barbara?

The figs they are!  As Barbara Palma , co-creator of Betterton's own Fig Fest, surveyed the town's trees and their fig production she feared for this year's Fest.  She declared "there are lots of figs but they're tiny in comparison to this year's Spring's crop and they are far from ripe!"  Palma consulted with her partner Wendell and made the executive decision to delay this year's Fig Fest by one week, so that it will now occur on Saturday August 31st.  The figs must have paid heed as suddenly they have started to ripen. (check out the photos).

For more information on Fig Fest 2014 contact Barbara at knitnteach@gmail.com.

In addition to the Figs misbehaving Kent County tomato growers are all seeing Fall Blight sacrifice their plants, with little hope for recovery.  According to Burpee's customer service personnel, there is little to do to stop this once it starts. The late tomato blight is caused by Phytophthora infestans , it has been around a long time and is the same disease that caused the Irish potato famine in the 1800. It is spread by the air, land, on infected plants and water on the leaves. Wet-looking spots start on the leaf edge and spread inward and spots soon turn black and leathery. Late blight attacks fruit and causes large, firm brown areas.

What to do: rotate the crops because the spores can live a whole year in the soil. Sanitation is very important, remove all debris from your garden bed as the fungus overwinters in the debris. Space plants farther apart to improve air circulation. Avoid overhead watering, the disease spreads in water. A mulch like straw will help prevent the spores from splashing up. Remove any infected plants by bagging them up in plastic bag, and throw out. Do not compost or throw the plant or debris in the woods as this will allow the spores to stick around. Keep your plants healthy. A fungicide may help prevent the spread; check with your county extension for recommendations in your area.

The Lizzano, Mountain Magic and Sweetheart of the Patio tomato varieties are resistant to the blight.