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Caused by the same fungus responsible for tomato blight, potato blight causes the leaves to develop dark patches, starting at the edges. In humid conditions a white fungus appears around the marks. The infection then travels down the plant

.AdamOn light soil, mix in well-rotted garden or bagged compost to earth up the potato plants. This helps conserve moisture which swells the tubers.More advice on growing potatoesGuard against potato blightPrevent magnesium deficiency from ruining your potatoes

Tomato blight, a fungal infection called Phytophthora infestans, spreads by wind and water-splash. It also attacks potatoes, and is triggered by warm, wet conditions, making outdoor tomatoes more susceptible than those in a greenhouse. The crop

Spread a thick layer of mulch (manure or compost) around fruit trees and bushesPlant fruit bushes, trees and canes into enriched soilPrune blackcurrants, cutting out a quarter of the oldest woody stems from mature plantsOrder blight-resistant seed

.AdamDon't worry if the foliage dies down, leave the spuds in the compost and they should keep well till Christmas.More on growing potatoesHow to chit potatoes Growing early potatoesAdvice on potato blightHow to grow potatoes in a bin

into the sunshine and rest them on bricks to ripenIdentify plants showing symptoms of potato blight, and immediately remove affected leaves and stemsOrder garlic bulbs and onion sets for autumn plantingPrune out fruited canes on summer-cropping raspberries

plants in our video from the Gardeners' World garden at Berryfields.courgettes, outdoor cucumbers, marrows, pumpkins, squashesearly summer Common problems affecting vegetable plantsPotato blightPea and bean weevilsCarrot root fly

Spray potatoes and outdoor tomatoes with Bordeaux mixture or similar to prevent blightThin heavy crops of apples, pears and plumsTie in new raspberry canes to support wiresCover brassicas with fine netting to prevent cabbage white butterflies laying

Harvest onions sown last autumn for early cropsWater celery regularly in dry weatherBury shoot tips of blackberries and peg them down to raise new plantsPrune out about a quarter of the oldest branches on blackcurrantsSpray potatoes and outdoor

potatoes can be harvested in July, before the hot, humid weather increases the threat of potato blight. Wait for the flowers to die down and poke around the base of the haulms, then dig out the golf-ball-sized tubers with a blunt-ended fork.Early potatoes