Question
We live in the Phoenix area and have several raised vegetable gardens.  We are having a problem with soil fungus/spores that are specifically damaging our tomatoes. The leaves curl up and dry out and the fruit doesn't set.  It starts at the bottom and goes up.  Any suggestions regarding what we can do would be appreciated.  Two people have told us to not plant tomatoes for a couple of years (won't happen!) We plant other vegetables and do crop rotation as best we can.

Thanks
Alyce

Answer
Hi Alyce,  Your description sounds like early blight.  It is a fungal disease but easily controlled with Mancozeb or Chlorothalonil fungicides.  Both are labeled for use on tomatoes. Avoid overhead watering with sprinklers.  Use a soaker hose or dam up the rows and fill them with water.  This will minimize the spread of the disease. Check the label, but you'll probably need to spray once a week or so.
Also, it's not uncommon for tomatoes to not set fruit when night temperatures are unusually warm.  Pick up a bottle of "Blossom Set" to help your fruit set.
I live in Tennessee and early blight is very common here.  I start spraying shortly after planting.  Jim