Hey fellow gardeners! I'm in Coastal Zone 10b and I've been lucky enough to garden all year round. However, I've been struggling with a serious case of powdery mildew (PM) this season. I grew these amazing artisan tiger stripe cherry tomatoes on a cattle panel trellis, and sadly, they ended up with PM. I'm curious — should I sterilize the trellis before I plant my fall peas? If so, what methods do you recommend?
2 Answers
So, powdery mildew can only stick around if it's on living plants, which means your trellis should be clear as long as you don't have any old tomato remnants on it. I usually just wipe mine down with a Lysol wipe or something similar to make sure there are no leftover spores. It's a quick and easy way to ensure a fresh start for your peas!
I totally hear you! Those spores can be a pain. Just remember that even after cleaning, keeping a healthy growing environment is key. Make sure your peas get good airflow and avoid overhead watering to help prevent any future mildew issues. It’s also a good idea to rotate the crops every year!