Diseases of vegetable plants can pose a challenge for the home gardener.  Typically, cultural methods are the preferred options for disease management in home vegetable gardens.  Cultural methods include proper site selection, plant spacing, staking, watering, fertilization, and perhaps most importantly, use of disease-resistant vegetable cultivars.  However, if diseases become especially problematic, fungicide treatments are also an option for home gardeners.

This guide is intended to help identify some of the common, and most suitable, fungicides available for disease control in home vegetable gardens.  All of the fungicides listed on this fact sheet have been found on shelves at southern Wisconsin home garden centers.  This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but references fungicides that, when used properly, can be effective in controlling the most common diseases of vegetables grown in home gardens.  When selecting a product from this list, be sure to note the product name carefully, as several products can have very similar names and contain similar active ingredients.  Check that the active ingredient on the label of the product that you select is the ingredient that you are looking for.  Also, be sure to read and follow all label instructions of the fungicide that you select to ensure that you use the product in the safest and most effective manner possible.

*Active ingredients generally considered ‘organic’.  Certified organic growers must use pesticides approved by their organic certifying agency.

For more information on home vegetable garden fungicides: 

Contact the University of Wisconsin Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic (PDDC) at (608) 262-2863 or pddc@wisc.edu.

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