Weed Warrior!

[apple_pathways]

I rent a garden plot with my mother at a local community garden. It's in full swing now: the tomatoes are ripening, the squash is taking over neighboring plots, and the weeds are THRIVING! (Well, no more; I spent a good hour yanking them up. For a picture of the results of my effort...



Weeding provides an interesting workout, and I'm definitely using muscles I wouldn't otherwise. Today, the back of my knees were sore. THE BACK OF MY KNEES! So, here's to buff knees, I guess.

I'm really happy with how well everything is growing, especially my pumpkins and watermelons, which I had been warned against planting. (It seems they don't do terrifically well at the garden, and others have a lot of trouble with them.) However, there are the predictable stuggles against bugs and disease: there are Japanese Beetles eating my basil (they're welcome to have a nibble; I have more than enough!) and my squashes are plagued by Fusarium wilt (VERY difficult to get rid of) and Powdery Mildew.

I'm trying my best to go as organic as possible or, failing that, to have the smallest environmental impact possible, but some of these are issues I've never dealt with before, since I've never gardened on this scale before, so I'm doing a lot of experimenting. I bought a copper-based fungicide spray today to deal with the mildew. The bottle says it's for "organic production", and it's a brand I've used before, but I was under the impression that copper is not considered an organic solution, so I'll have to do some more research.

Anyway, on to the pictures; I am really so proud of our efforts!

Comments

[housemaid79.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous! Makes me wish I had planted a garden this year.

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Now if only I can save everything from the fungi that are threatening to take over...

[reckless-saturn.livejournal.com]

Powdery mildew is hard to get rid of once it has started. The copper helps a bit, but it is really something that should be applied to the plants before the mildew starts. But it is hard to know that since you don't realize you have a problem until the mildew appears.

I would suggest trying to get rid of as many plants that have signs of the mildew before it spreads to your other plants. Or at the very least cutting the leaves that are showing the worse signs of it- also make sure you burn the leaves or dispose of them in the trash because the powdery mildew will over winter and show up next year in your garden. That way you can salvage what you have left. Also your neighboring gardeners would be very grateful because the powdery mildew will quickly spread to their plants as well.

Also if the copper spray doesn't work. I have had luck with spraying my plants with a mixture of 10% milk and 90% water. You can also try washing the leaves when they show the beginning signs of powdery mildew. That works really well. I just use soap and water. I use Dr. Bronner's Soap because it is all organic and it won't hurt the plants or damage your soil. And your soil is the most important part of your garden. "Gardeners don't grow plants. They grow soil."

Good luck. Sorry I stuck my nose in here with all sorts of advice, but I have had problems with PM before and it is very distressing. Found my way over via Food Porn and your garden pictures sucked me in. I am a sucker for garden pictures. It is my most favorite of all my hobbies.

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

No apologies necessary! I actually posted in another gardening community soliciting advice, but yours is the most complete answer I've received so far. I'm afraid my squash that are affected might just be done for; I've already pulled up all my zucchini plants, and I'm just hoping the winter squash and pumpkins can hang on long enough for me to get at least a small harvest.

I know there isn't much to be done now, but at least I'll know what I can do next year!