June 20th is the first official day of summer–less than one month away. Now is the time to start thinking about one of our biggest summer aggravations–Powdery mildew.
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that loves hot humid weather and can be a big problem in our gardens–particularly this time of year when our young vegetable plants are getting bigger and bigger and there is less air circulation around them.
What to Watch Out For
Cucurbits (cucumbers, squashes, pumpkins, and melons) are particularly vulnerable so keep an eye out for little whitish patches on the foliage. Eventually those patches will increase in size to cover most of the leaf.
Powdery mildew thrives on tender new growth so if it shows up, hold off on applying fertilizer until you’ve gotten it under control. Believe it or not, a study at the University of Connecticut found that a mixture of 40% milk and 60% water is fairly effective in the early stages of powdery mildew. Neem oil is also a good organic spray–just wait until temperatures are below 90 degrees before you spray so as not to damage the foliage.
Let’s Ensure Good Air Circulation
To help not “aggravate” problems with powdery mildew, avoid planting veggies any closer than the seed packet recommends–the more air-circulation the better. Also, try NOT to get the foliage wet when you water (soaker hoses are way better than sprinklers for that) because with our high summer humidity, we don’t need to compound the problem.
Also, better air circulation is another good reason for keeping your garden well-weeded.
Easy to Do Actions Now Bring Big Rewards Later
These easy to do garden tips will help ensure you avoid annoying powdery mildew problems and enjoy a bountiful harvest of those delicious veggies that brighten up your table, nourish your body, and please your taste buds.