Is Mold in a Vegetable Garden Harmful?

Gardeners tending their vegetables

If you notice mold growing in your vegetable garden, you will want to do what you can to put a stop to it. Mold thrives in moist, humid, and cool conditions and can destroy your vegetable garden.

Gray Mold

Gray mold commonly infects bean and tomato plants. The mold begins as a brown/gray spot on the plant that grows fuzzy spores. Gray mold causes the plant to decay.

Leaf Mold

Leaf mold also commonly affects tomatoes, particularly those grown in humid conditions, such as in a greenhouse. The mold infects the leaves of the plants, and if left untreated, will cause them to wither and fall from the plant.

White Mold

White mold grows on a wide variety of vegetable plants, including cabbage, spinach and eggplant. The affects of white mold can be barely noticeable or they can completely destroy a vegetable garden. The mold first makes the plant look greasy, next a white fuzzy mold grows and finally, the spores turn black when the mold is completely grown.

Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew looks like a grayish-white coating of dust on the leaves of infected plants. Leaves and the fruit of the plant become deformed and may fall from the plant. The mildew draws needed nutrients away from the plant.

Mold Avoidance

The best way to avoid mold growth in your vegetable garden is to avoid watering the leaves. Also make sure your plants have enough room, good air circulation, and a clean place to grow. Weed your garden regularly and remove any infected plants. You can spray your garden with fungicide to prevent mold from growing.

References

• Clemson University Extension: Gray Mold
• University of Illinois Extension: Leaf Mold on Greenhosue Tomatoes
• North Carolina University: White Mold of Vegetables and Plants