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Growing a garden in the backyard was once standard practice. But it’s one that was lost with the advent of modern supermarkets and smaller, suburban neighborhoods.
But today, more and more people are concerned with the food they are putting in their bodies. This leads to many searching for a healthier, more sustainable, and more affordable way to eat better by planting a garden.
But gardening and farming aren’t easy. You have pests to manage. And you also have diseases, like powdery mildew (PM).
Luckily, there are powdery mildew treatment options available to help you fight back against the white substance covering your previous leaves and flowers. Keep reading below to learn about the best treatment for powdery mildew to keep your plants alive and well.
1. Avoid Mildew Growing Conditions
One of the best plant treatment options is to avoid it before it starts. By understanding PM growing conditions, you can organize your garden in a way that limits or prohibits its growth.
PM loves warm, dry weather with just a touch of humidity. It thrives in overcrowded gardens where there isn’t much airflow and there is too much shade.
By spacing out your garden and giving each crop space, sunlight, and airflow, you can limit PM.
2. Plant PM-Resistant Plants
PM isn’t very picky. It will grow on countless plant species. But there are some that are less likely to be affected.
Fruit trees like citrus, avocado, or fig trees are quite resistant. Strong-smelling herbs like basil, rosemary, or sage don’t tend to get it. And a handful of other plants like Swiss Chard or succulents aren’t likely to be impacted by PM, making your garden more worry-free.
3. Prevent PM With Neem Oil
Neem doesn’t do a good job of eradicating PM once it develops, but it helps to prevent it early on. If you know PM is likely to pop up on your plants, dilute neem oil with water and spray foliage once a week to protect it.
4. Spray With Potassium Bicarbonate
Once PM develops, you’ll need to use something that will kill the disease without killing the plants. Potassium bicarbonate is another natural mildew treatment option to do just that.
It’s similar to baking soda, which you can also use, but is stronger and lasts longer. It may help prevent PM all season long.
5. Use a Biofuncicide as Powdery Mildew Treatment
Need something stronger, or to use on commercially grown plants? You’ll want a specialized bio fungicide capable of protecting your crops and yield.
Marrone Bio Regalia is a popular option used in many agricultural settings that can be used on both fruit-producing plants and trees as well as many ornamental plants. There are a few other plant diseases that this product can also eliminate and prevent.
The Treatment Powdery Mildew Haters Love
The best way to handle powdery mildew treatment is to prevent it from growing in the first place. However, that’s not always an option.
So a strong, sprayable product that kills the disease and o the plant is the second-best choice. Make sure to have some on hand all season so that you can treat it as soon as you see it.
Looking for more tips like this? Visit our blog now to keep reading.
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