[stephen prendergast]

me spuds got blight this year the whole crop is startin to die off now. so i started to dig them out today. im going to eat what ever i can n give the pigs the rest but i was wondering if its a good idea to put the stalks on the compost heap. would the blight infect the compost and get into the ground when i spread it in the future

[michael brenock]

blighted potato stalks are alright to put on compost heap, remember there are plenty potato blight stalks on the surface of leaves of other crops and weeds. The blight is dependent on temperature and humidity to spread in early Summer and while you might reduce the risk of blight by not composting blighted stalks there are plenty other sources for infection. The diseases or pests that I would not put in the compost heap are Eeelworm, Club Root and White Rot (onions)
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)