Fungal diseases can be sneaky visitors in your vegetable and squash patch — thriving in warm, humid conditions or in gardens where plants are overcrowded. Once they take hold, they can spread quickly, affecting leaves, stems, and even your harvest.
Here are five common fungal troublemakers to keep on your radar:
1. Powdery Mildew
A white, dusty coating that appears on leaves, often starting on the lower foliage and spreading upward. Common on squash, cucumbers, and zucchini.
2. Downy Mildew
Yellow spots on the upper leaf surface with a grey or purplish fuzz underneath. Often attacks lettuce, cucumbers, and other cucurbits.
3. Early Blight
Brown, target-like spots on tomato leaves that cause yellowing and premature leaf drop. It can weaken plants and reduce yield.
4. Anthracnose
Dark, sunken spots on fruits such as melons, beans, and squash. Can also cause leaf and stem lesions.
5. Fusarium Wilt
Sudden wilting of leaves and stems, often starting on one side of the plant. This soil-borne fungus can linger for years.
How to Prevent Fungal Problems
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Space plants properly for good airflow
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Avoid overhead watering, which keeps leaves wet
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Rotate crops to prevent soil-borne fungi from building up year after year
Need an Extra Boost?
For both prevention and control, Safer’s 3-in-1 Garden Spray RTU 1L offers an all-in-one solution. It helps manage fungal diseases and soft-bodied insects, making it a versatile choice for maintaining a healthy garden.
Keep your plants happy, healthy, and fungus-free this season! 🌿
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