Everyone knows the old adage: April showers bring May flowers. Unfortunately, many gardeners also learn that cool temperatures and spring rains followed by summer’s heat can bring fungal diseases. One such disease that thrives in the warmth of midsummer that follows wet spring weather is Alternaria Leaf spot on cucurbits. Cucurbits with Alternaria Leaf Blight Cucurbits are plants in the gourd family. These include gourds, melons, squash, pumpkin, cucumber and many others. A fungal disease known as alternaria leaf spot, alternaria leaf blight or target leaf spot is known to affect several members of the cucurbit family, but is especially a problem on watermelon and cantaloupe plants. Leaf blight of cucurbits is caused by the fungal pathogen Alternaria cucumerina. This fungus can over winter in garden debris. In spring, new plants can be infected by contact with infected garden surfaces and the splashing of rain or watering. As temperatures warm