Expert: Richard Clark - 7/27/2011

Question
I have planted collard greens here in northeast, I have notice some of my plants with a large yellow spots on the leafs. It seems to be spreading throughout my garden, I add top soil every two years, do i need to introduce chemicals to the soil? or get plants from another source? or spray with a chemical? is this root rot? or black root, this is what people in this area are calling it.I love collard greens, and seems though i am not going to enjoy them this year. if not, i need to stop this now before the next corp. Help me eat my collard greens!

Answer
James
 If other people are having the same problem it might be caused by an air borne disease. I would try pulling the leafs that have the yellow spots off and destroying them. You would still have a few greens to eat. It sounds like you have been taking care of the ground by adding top soil. You could also check under the leaves to see if small bugs are sucking the juice out of the leaves and causing the problem.
Wish you the best of luck.
Richard