Q: Can you tell me what the black splotches on the basil in our small garden are?

Q: This is a picture of a pepper I planted about 2 weeks ago. It looked healthy and vibrant when I put it in. Other pepper plants nearby are beginning to look like this as well. Can you give me a clue about what’s wrong with it.

A: Both plants have bacterial leaf spot. It is extremely difficult to control.

About the only thing a gardener can do is keep the leaves as dry as possible.

Fungicides that contain copper may give a little bit of control.

See Black Spots on Basil Leaves

Bacterial Spot on Pepper

basil bacterial spot

basil bacterial spot

pepper bacterial leaf spot