Kim,

I did have a heavy infestation of Japanese beetles this summer, first time ever. They were attracted by a patch of wildflowers we sowed in proximity to the chard garden.  However, I never noticed any of them on the chard.  Are they same as “flea beetles”?

Best,

Terry

Kim,

Thanks for your response.  I will review your information. I have not noticed any insects.  At first indication of damage, I treated with the neem oil as I have had success in year’s past.  I figured it was same issue.

Best,

Terry

Kim,

Thanks for the info.  This should be helpful. The information seems to indicate it’s the fungus and best solution is a chemical additive.  Are the chemicals readily available at home/garden stores?

Rotation of vegetable varieties seems good too, at least for one year. Hate to use chemicals as I try to stay as ‘organic” as possible.  Likely safe to assume the chemicals are a bit toxic?

I placed some of the damaged leaves in my compost pile.  I would assume the compost pile is now contaminated with the fungus.

Thoughts.

Best,

Terry

Kim,

You say: “bury the leaves”, you are referring to the damaged leaves I removed from among the healthy plants?

Is it Ok to leave the dead plants in place at end of season and bury them in the garden?  Or should I remove and bury them elsewhere?

Some of the plants have minimal damage.  Is it OK to eat them?

Best,

Terry

Kim,

So, no chard in that garden space next year, correct?  My wife uses chard every day in her “chard smoothie”.—blueberries, flax, chard, green tea.

Her summer/fall crop gives us a break from buying at market.

I got to thinking later,  something I did differently this year was to use straw bought at local Lowe’s store to keep the weeds down.  I’m curious if that may have contributed to the fungus.  The straw bale looked as though it had been around awhile and had darkened in areas.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

Best,

Terry