when are you sowing your garden this year?

[hollohas]

Powder mildew got my peas, squash (including zucchini) and cukes. Didn't bother my beans. I used some horticultural oil (jojoba) at first sign that slowed it down, but didn't eliminate it. The mildew finally won late this summer. It didn't kill the plants but drastically reduced their yeilds.

The spores stick around and can come back next year. I will be looking to plant resistant varieties for a couple years in an attempt to reduce the resident spores.

[HoneyBadger]

The spores stick around and can come back next year. I will be looking to plant resistant varieties for a couple years in an attempt to reduce the resident spores.

Whoa whoa whoa, hold the phone! The Mildew is going to be i the soil next year? Is there a way to kill it without affecting crop yield?

[hollohas]

I don't think there is a way to kill the spores that remain in the environment. It's suggested to not even compost infected plants because the spores will contaminate your compost. Fungicides can help control it during the growing season.

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/02902.html

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7406.html

http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgi.../hgic2049.html

[muddywings]

Well since it is garden related, I show what I did from spring to fall.
New to me backyard had a three tier gravel pit weedfest with dead trees and other crap. I pulled landscaping blocks out and moved the rock from the middle to front (had to get a few more to finish it). I pushed all the rock into the front lower section so I expect some settling over the winter.
Top tier is still there but much smaller and will be lined with railroad ties.
The left side I plan to have two 12x4 garden beds and a smaller maybe 2x4 (herbs) bed. Right side (north/shaded) will have flowers and birdbaths stuff like that.
I still need the railroad ties for the garden sections (as well as quality dirt). The old area did have a sprinkler/drip line running around all the dead trees. I'm removing that valve from the sprinkler box by the house and running a direct line to the upper left. I plan on dropping in a new value box that can accommodate 6 valves (but I plan for only four for now). The sprinkler lines will run behind the railroad ties lining the back tier then pop out for each garden bed (different zone for each bed) and have drip lines. The rest will be covered with landscaping paper and gorilla hair with walking pavers eventually.
Any set up advise is appreciated.

[Irving]

Looks very nice.

[Dave]

Whoa whoa whoa, hold the phone! The Mildew is going to be i the soil next year? Is there a way to kill it without affecting crop yield?

Pasteurization would kill it.

[rbeau30]

Pasteurization would kill it.

I hear microwaves are used in soil pasteurization. Just need to take apart a few microwave ovens...

[TheGrey]

Well since it is garden related, I show what I did from spring to fall.
New to me backyard had a three tier gravel pit weedfest with dead trees and other crap. I pulled landscaping blocks out and moved the rock from the middle to front (had to get a few more to finish it). I pushed all the rock into the front lower section so I expect some settling over the winter.
Top tier is still there but much smaller and will be lined with railroad ties.
The left side I plan to have two 12x4 garden beds and a smaller maybe 2x4 (herbs) bed. Right side (north/shaded) will have flowers and birdbaths stuff like that.
I still need the railroad ties for the garden sections (as well as quality dirt). The old area did have a sprinkler/drip line running around all the dead trees. I'm removing that valve from the sprinkler box by the house and running a direct line to the upper left. I plan on dropping in a new value box that can accommodate 6 valves (but I plan for only four for now). The sprinkler lines will run behind the railroad ties lining the back tier then pop out for each garden bed (different zone for each bed) and have drip lines. The rest will be covered with landscaping paper and gorilla hair with walking pavers eventually.
Any set up advise is appreciated.

Looks fantastic! The only thing I can think of is to avoid genuine railroad ties. They've been treated with creosote, which can leach into your ground and your plants/food, and it is a carcinogen. I'd find some other form of wood for your retaining wall.

[YammyMonkey]

Peach trees can be hit & miss. My parents live in the Green Mountain area of lakewood & one of their neighbors has trees that produce really well every other year. The off years will see nothing and the good years see an overabundance of very tasty peaches.

[rbeau30]

Peach trees can be hit & miss. My parents live in the Green Mountain area of lakewood & one of their neighbors has trees that produce really well every other year. The off years will see nothing and the good years see an overabundance of very tasty peaches.

I was going to order some from the Arbor Day Foundation Web Store, but apparently Colorado has import restrictions on plants and trees?