nachoqtpie said:
How could it be blight? There's never been any plants in this soil. We also added some bagged compost as well.
Also... it didn't have any spots on it at first... the leaves just started turning yellow. THEN they got spots on them....
Ok sweety, here's what I can say as a local. :watering
First, where did you get the soil in your raised beds? Did you fill them from bagged soil or from a landscaping supply place or city landfill compost? I'm concerned that even with this heat and lack of water, the soil you used to fill your beds is lacking 1 major nutrient or another. Probably NOT nitrogen since that seems to be the majority of what is in Miracle grow. I do think you are adding too much miracle grow anyways. That much will give you more 'green' on the plant rather then fruits after awhile. They'll look prettier then produce well.
Secondly, I don't think it is blight. I've had blight twice now, and the main cause with blight and most fungus is it travels through the air and through other dead materials and ends up in the soil. When soil splashes up on the leaves from rain or heavy watering from above it spreads. There are treatments for it if you were to have it, but you'd end up with a less productive plant over time. I've only lost a few plants because of it, but did lose quite a bit of harvest from my surviving plants.
Third, the new growth is a good sign, its still fighting to come back, so don't give up on it. Try some watering spikes rather then water twice a day. These are spikes you put on empty 2 liter soda bottles filled with water. As the ground dries out deep near the roots, the bottle will release more water because it takes in the extra air where it was one wet. This way it keep constant moisture, but not overly damp which can cause dampening off and eventually rot and decay on the plant. Inconsitant watering is an issue in its own.
That's the problem with gardening its too dang hard to be perfect ALL the time! All good gardeners miss something and loss something... it just goes with the hobby.
In fact, I just lost 3 more squash plants, and a tomato plant broke from that storm that came through last night. I just throw my arms up... and move on!
