Rust

Disease Orange or brown pustules that appear on the leaves of leeks, garlic, beans, mint and chives.

What to look for

Bright orange, rust-coloured or brown raised pustules on leaves. Leaves yellow and die early. The pustules rub off as orange powder.

When: Mid-summer to autumn in humid weather.

How to prevent it

• Space plants well and avoid overhead watering.
• Do not over-feed with nitrogen.
• Rotate crops and clear plant debris.
• Choose rust-resistant varieties of leeks and beans where available.

How to deal with it

• Remove affected leaves and bin them.
• Harvest garlic and leeks early if the disease is serious.
• Cut mint and chives to the ground and bin the cuttings, and the plant will regrow clean.

Crops it affects

🫘 Borlotti bean🫘 Broad bean🌱 Chives🧄 Elephant garlic🫛 French bean🌿 French tarragon🧄 Garlic🌿 Garlic chives🌱 Leek🌾 Lemongrass🌿 Lovage🌿 Mint🌿 Oregano🍃 Sorrel🌿 Wild garlic

If you choose to use any treatment, use only products approved for UK home gardens, follow the label and avoid spraying open flowers. See all pests and diseases.