What a disappointment it is to head out to pick a few blueberries only to find them shriveled and dried. This is often the act of the Mummy Berry Disease.

You will often see the symptoms begin as the infected flowers turn brown and wither, much as if they had been frosted. Leaf and shoot growth expanding from newly opened leaf buds is blackened in the center and eventually wilts and dies. About 3 weeks after primary infection, a brownish gray mass of spores develops on blighted flower stalks and leaves.

During early berry development, diseased fruits look like healthy ones; if cut open, however, the spongy white fungal growth is revealed. As berries approach maturity, infected berries become a reddish buff or tan color in contrast to the waxy green of healthy fruits. Many of the diseased berries fall before healthy berries are harvested. Mature mummified berries are gray, shriveled, and hard.

You can help avoid this disappointment by using Bonide's Fung-onil Multiple-Purpose Fungicide. This fungicide is truly all purpose and can be used on many of your other favorite plants to help prevent other disease damage.

A little prevention this year can go a long way toward keeping your garden growing healthy and your table full of yummy treats.