• Ask Mark
    • Search the Library
    • Mark’s Blog
    • eNewsletter / Subscribe
    • Books
    • Links
  • Home Hardware Mark’s Choice
    • New Products
    • Hand Tools
    • Cutting Tools
    • Boots and Gloves
    • Hose and Watering Accessories
    • Bird Feeders and Bird Seed
    • Container Gardening
    • Seeds and Bulbs
    • Plant Supports
    • Gardening Accessories
  • CIL Iron Plus
    • C-I-L Iron Plus Lawn Fertilizers
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Gardening Communities
  • About Mark
    • Mark and Ben’s Bio
    • Book Mark as a Speaker
    • Mark in the Media
    • Contact Us
June 11, 2015

Father’s Day in the Garden

Next Sunday is Fathers’ Day. I’m reminding you early in case you’ve forgotten but if your Dad is like most, he has been passing along (maybe not so) subtle hints about what’s on his wish list.

For me, Fathers’ Day is a reminder to start my strict Bordo regimen. I will begin on Sunday (if the weather permits) and go right through until the plants have finished producing. It is this scheduled garden activity that keeps my tomatoes blight-free throughout the summer. Every year I have a healthy tomato crop and I owe a large part of that success to Bordo.

What is it?
Bordo is a copper-based fungicide. Copper sulfate (or CuSO4 for the chemists out there) is more precise. The product itself is an organic wettable powder used on more than just tomatoes. The list is long but includes grapes, apples, potatoes, peaches, ornamental flowers, and squash. Basically any plant susceptible to fungal infections.

An Ounce of Prevention…
Bordo is a prevention, not a cure. This is very important and it is why I have to stick to my strict schedule. Once a plant has contracted a fungal infection, Bordo will not fix it. And where tomatoes are concerned, nothing will.

The Schedule
On my farm I follow the guidelines on the can – unless it is raining on the day I want to spray (guidelines vary depending on what you are using the product for). Rain just pushes my spray day out and I continue on.

Coverage is key when it comes to Bordo. Because blight is spread via wind and rain, covering the tops and undersides of all leaves, fruits, and stems is very important. And I always spray in the morning so the water can dry, leaving the Bordo on the plant.

Pollination
I try to avoid spraying the flowers and if I see that the plant has put out a bunch of them, I wait a few days. The bees can do their work and then I can get in there and do mine. Bordo isn’t harmful to bees, I just don’t think they appreciate the interruptions.

Warnings
Bordo is an organic fungicide but, as we have learned over the years, organic doesn’t necessarily mean completely safe. Copper buildup in the soil can be harmful to the organisms living there. To combat this, I rotate my crops every year: if I planted tomatoes there last year, you can bet they won’t be there in that spot this year.

Avoid large amounts of the stuff in water bodies. If you have a pond, keep it at a distance and don’t spray on windy days when the wind is blowing in that direction.

Enjoy blight-free tomatoes this season and remember, this is a prevention not a cure. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Find Bordo Copper Spray at your local Home Hardware.

← Previous post
Garden Nemeses

Next post →
Thanks, Dad

Search

Recent Posts

  • Around the Acres This Week January 11, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week December 9, 2020
  • Around the Acres this Week November 2, 2020
  • Around the Acres This Week October 23, 2020

Mark’s Blog by Month

Ask Mark

  • eNewsletter
  • Radio/Podcast
  • Magazine article
  • Newspaper column
  • TV

Recent Tweets

Mark CullenFollow

Mark Cullen
12 Jan

A review of @suestuartsmith new book - great winter reading! https://www.thestar.com/life/homes/2021/01/12/new-book-cultivates-hope-through-both-the-physical-and-passive-acts-of-gardening.html

Reply on Twitter 1349023794342621191Retweet on Twitter 13490237943426211913Like on Twitter 13490237943426211916
3 Jan

Probably the most important house plant advice that can be given! So many plants die from overwatering! Stick your finger in the dirt. Don’t be afraid 😁 If it’s cool and moist leave it alone! Thanks @MarkCullen4! And thanks @ABurbidge! https://twitter.com/ABurbidge/status/1345484646075740160

Reply on Twitter 1345680506915074049Retweet on Twitter 13456805069150740495Like on Twitter 134568050691507404914
3 Jan

Stone more great coverage. A good news story to start off the year

Reply on Twitter 1345731171905380353Retweet on Twitter 1345731171905380353Like on Twitter 13457311719053803537
2 Jan

Winter (indoor) #gardening Pro tip from @MarkCullen4 in TorStar Homefinder section~ “Resist watering indoor plants until they need it.” Leaves drooping suggest adding water, touch soil to test for dryness. Great read, thx. 🌿🌸

Reply on Twitter 1345484646075740160Retweet on Twitter 13454846460757401601Like on Twitter 13454846460757401603

Comments are closed.

About Mark and Ben


Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author & broadcaster and holds the Order of Canada. His son Ben is a fourth-generation urban gardener and graduate of Guelph and Dalhousie University.
More

Find Mark On

Sponsored Links

Highway of Heroes cullensfoods
© Mark Cullen. Go to top ↑