How to Organically Control Fungus in Your Garden
Powdery mildew, a common ailment in the garden, appears, as the name suggests, as dusty, white to gray coating on the surface of leaves or other plant parts. Powdery mildew begins as small, circular, powdery white spots. As these spots expand, they will coalesce, producing a continuous mat of mildew. Root rot is another fungal disease that can be very destructive in gardens. Save money, save your health and keep your garden safe from unneeded chemicals by using organic methods of fungus control in your garden. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Powdery Mildew
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Mix 1 part milk to 9 parts water in the sprayer.
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Spray on powdery-mildew affected plants in the early morning.
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Apply twice a week until mildew disappears. Research has demonstrated milk to be as effective as chemical fungicides formulated for powdery mildew.
Root Rot
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Sprinkling cornmeal around the base of the plants affected by root rot. Root rot disease can be caused by fungi like Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Pytophthora and Fusarium.
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Apply in early spring for best results, but the cornmeal is effective year round.
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Work the cornmeal into the soil, if you prefer, although it is not necessary. Water well. The cornmeal stimulates the activity of beneficial soil microorganisms that fight off disease.
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Tips & Warnings
Fungal infections tend to thrive in dampness. If you're overwatering or don't give your soil the chance to dry out between waterings, you will not have long lasting results from these organic methods.
References
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Comments
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saveurdimes
Feb 22, 2009
Hi, great idea. Are we really speaking of regular organic milk from the grocery store?Also, do you have any suggestions for heavily drenched gardens in zones like the Pacific Northwest?Thanks!5* -
Will Atkinson
Feb 22, 2009
Love the organic tips.
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sunshine11219
Nov 10, 2008
great idea for the garden
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deepthinkin
May 21, 2008
Thank you for offering an alternate solution to powdery mildew. My only reservation with using tobacco, first of all, would be the nicotine residue left on the plant. If you're spraying on a food plant, I don't know if that would be such a good idea. Secondly, cigarette tobacco is not pure tobacco. It's full of chemicals and nasty ingredients which would wreak havoc on the microorganisms in the soil, and could kill beneficial insects. Just something to consider.
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JoeJayasinghe
May 19, 2008
Remove unwanted branches and expose the plant to sun. A decoction made out of soap tobacco and water (in the ratio 1:1:50 by volume )boiled cooled and sprayed well to cover both surfaces of leaves will control at early stagess. P.S. Cigarettes or cigars could be used as tobacco and it will reduce your volume of smoking.
