Hi,

I'm sorry, this is an email service. If you want to talk to a master gardener in person, look for events where Anoka County Master Gardeners are answering questions. Here's their page:

https://anokamastergardeners.org/

My suspicion is that plants were somehow infected with a leaf spot and the excessive rain helped it run wild. Peppers want heat, and we haven't had much of it this year.

This may be bacterial leaf spot, which thrives in wet, humid weather. 

https://extension.umn.edu/disease-management/bacterial-spot-tomato-and-pepper

It would be wise to discard infected plants to save the rest. If you want to save plants that are mildly affected, pull off and bag the bad leaves and put them in the garbage. Also remove any dead leaves from the area.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Sorry for the bad news Steve. I hope the rest of your plants do better.



Hi Steve,

That U page I sent you says the bacteria lives on in the soil for one or two years. See below:

Biology

• Four closely related bacteria cause bacterial spot: Xanthomonas vesicatoria, X. euvesicatoria, X. gardneri, and X. perforans.
• Different strains infect either tomato or pepper or both.
• All strains prefer high temperatures (75°F to 86°F), high humidity, and frequent rainfall/overhead irrigation.
• Bacteria survive on plant debris in the soil for one to two years, but will not survive once plant debris breaks down.
• Introduction is primarily on infected seed or infected transplants. Even seedlings that do not show symptoms may be infected and will show symptoms later in the growing season.
• Bacteria can spread from plant to plant by tools, growers’ hands, or through splashing rain or irrigation water.
• Between rotations, the bacteria may survive on tomato or pepper volunteer plants.

Remember that when you start your pepper seeds, it should be in a sterile mix. You can use other soil when you move the plants to larger pots.

Be careful about using too much manure. It can raise salt levels in soil.

https://extension.umn.edu/nutrient-management-specialty-crops/correct-too-much-compost-and-manure

You should sterilize your tools and the grow bags too. Here's a link:

https://learndirt.com/learn/how-to-clean-grow-bags/

Good luck Steve.