My planter box runner beans have rust. Will the soil be contaminated with the rust and therefore infect the next crops. I had thought to plant peas, silverbeet and beetroot. Thank you Deb

Hi Deb, when removing the beans that have been infected with rust make sure all leaf matter and plant material is removed from the planter box. Replenish the soil with compost, vegetable mix or garden mix and throw in some sheep pellets to enrich the soil. Rust is an air borne (wind) disease and likes warm wet humid conditions, improving air circulation around the plants helps, also, some plants are more susceptible than others. The key to planting the next crop is to not plant vegetables that are susceptible to rust, such as garlic, onions, leeks, beetroot and silverbeet. Peas will be okay, brassicas and lettuce are also unaffected by rust. Protect brassicas from the white cabbage butterfly which is still around, maybe hold off a little longer so plants don’t get munched by the caterpillars.