What dangers should I be on the lookout for in Vancouver, BC?

[johnnytwofingers]

I'm very new to growing tomatoes and in reading the forums it seems like there are many pitfalls that can befall even experienced gardeners.

I'm growing in Vancouver, BC which is a very humid climate, but not overly warm. Are there any most likely ailments that I should know how to recognize? A lady was chatting with at the store said she had a problem with blight, and recommended covering my plants with plastic at night. Does this seem reasonable? Anything else I should be looking at for (specific or not specific to my climate?)

[janezee]

Good news, very few bugs here to bother you. No tomato hornworms, no Japanese beetles, and flea beetles and aphids are easy to deal with.
Bad news is slugs and blight.
Slugs and snails love tomatoes. Don't let your plants sprawl. Hang 'em high. I haven't seen them climb a stalk (yet).
Late blight is very common in these parts. Keep your tomatoes as dry as possible. I don't know if your area is infested, but mine is. It's a yearly event here. I'm still trying to figure out the best way to combat it without growing everything in a vacuum.

Welcome to the forum, by the way. We need more PNW's here! Glad to have you.

jane

[Jeannine Anne]

Wecome from Coquitlam XX Jeannine

[johnnytwofingers]

I'm actually growing on my 11th floor balcony, so I think I should be safe from slugs.

I'm growing in self watering containers, from what (little) I've read about blight, that should somewhat protect me as the leaves won't get wet during watering. And being on a balcony lowers the general humidity and increases airflow (in my case), so hopefully these factors should protect me a bit.

[janezee]

Well, then, you should have a more successful growing season than those of us on the ground! Lucky, in many ways. Good luck with that.

j