How to Control Powdery Mildew in Your Garden

All natural methods to control powdery mildew in the garden.

Powdery mildew is a fungus that attacks a number of plants in the garden, leaving a white powdery substance on the plant. This is one of many fungal infections that can damage your garden and your crops. The last thing you want to do is use harmful chemicals as a powdery mildew treatment. Organic methods and all natural fungicides are easy to make and use.

Instructions

1. Make compost tea to protect any of your plants that are regularly attacked by powdery mildew, fungal disease and insects. Microbes that exist naturally in compost tea are very effective on a number of pests. Fill a non-plastic bucket half full with compost, and then fill to the top with water. Let it brew for 10 to 14 days, then strain it. To use on plants, dilute one part compost tea with ten parts water. Add 2 tablespoons molasses to each gallon of diluted compost tea. Spray on the foliage. Compost tea is very effective on early tomato blight. Compost tea can also be used as a feeding spray.

2. Make cornmeal juice by soaking a nylon mesh bag filled with 1 cup of horticultural cornmeal in a gallon of water until it looks milky. Do not dilute the cornmeal juice at all. Put the juice in a sprayer and lightly apply to the foliage. Cornmeal juice can be added to compost tea as well. Food grade cornmeal will work for this recipe; however, horticultural cornmeal is less expensive. Cornmeal helps fight root and soil related fungal problems and is used to improve soil quality and boosts resistance to disease. It will not burn or damage plants.

3. Make a milk spray and use weekly to control powdery mildew. Combine 1 part milk with nine parts water, and spray onto the foliage of plants. A study in South America found that weekly applications of milk were just as effective in controlling powdery mildew in zucchini plants as the commonly used synthetic fungicides. An added benefit is that the milk spray is also a foliar feeder that works to boost the plant's immune system. Do not use a stronger solution. Too much milk may cause an innocuous fungus to grow on the plant.