powdery mildew, zucchini not the right color, natural pest control PICTURES

[seeing_stars]

I recently installed a drip watering system in my garden area, but before I did my zucchini and squash got wet and therefore got powdery mildew. I have been trying the milk/water spray, but the leaves of my zucchini and still looking bad. Also, I've had a few successful zucchini, but the rest of them get a few inches long then start to wither and turn yellowish on the end, what would cause that? I'm actually contemplating ripping all of the infected zucchini plants out and planting more tomatoes but would like to keep the zucchini and squash if I can cure them. If the plants are a lost cause I would like to use the space for other plants that will do well.

Pictures:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...May2010012.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...May2010011.jpg

My sunflowers are being eaten! I've heard people say that you can use Dr. Bronners soap for pest control but I can't find much info on that. How do I do it?

picture of the damaged leaves:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...May2010023.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...May2010016.jpg

more pictures of my garden:
My very excited DD, tomatoes, artichoke and zucchini in the raised beds
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...May2010006.jpg

bean teepee from discarded wooden poles, container plants include tomatoes, squash, lime tree
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...May2010008.jpg

Armenian cucumber climbing.flowering
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...May2010019.jpg

Voluntary purslane (anyone tried it?!)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...May2010017.jpg

Bell peppers starting to grow a little bit
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...May2010013.jpg


We are really enjoying gardening, this is really my frist serious garden and I'm learning a lot, have big plants for next year!

[PinkinPA]

I can help you with the powdery mildew...use about 1-2 tbsp of baking soda in a squirt bottle. I kept the mildew at bay all season long on my zucchini last year. BOY were we wet, too!

I can't help you with the other things, though..but your garden (and daughter) sure are cute!

[lunarlady]

The yellow end on the zuch is blossom end rot. It is a sign of either overwatering, or nutrient deficency. I would try adding some fertilizer to the garden (I like bone meal) and make sure it is drying out between waterings.

[seeing_stars]

oh I had heard of blossom end rot but didn't know that that was the issue with my zucchini, thanks! I run the drip system for 20 minutes every morning, any less and the plants wilt down to the ground during the day (we just hit 100 yesterday I believe). I'll add some bone meal and hope that that helps the issue.

[gagin37]

I'm having the same trouble with my zucchini and summer squash right now. big healthy plants, tiny little fruit, and before it gets big enough to pick, the end gets mushy. hmmm, will have to try some fertilizer here too.

Love your bean teepee! What a great idea!

[sunnysandiegan]

I went to a free veggie gardening class last Saturday at a local, family-owned nursery. Blossom end rot was discussed. I forgot what was said, though, so I checked my notes. Unfortunately, I didn't write that part down. Three pages of notes and nothing on that topic. Sorry!

I do know tomatoes and strawberries shouldn't touch the ground or they will rot. I wrote that down! Maybe that is the same for the zucchini? Do you need to trellis them? Maybe a call to your local nursery will solve the problem?

In our class, several people had baggies of leaves with problems. The instructor was able to diagnose problems and offer solutions right there. She also said any of the employees are able to do the same if you bring samples in... Just a thought...

Another thing I did write down:
Many gardeners and the instructor recommended feeding new veggie plants with a high nitrogen fertilizer first. Then, once the plant was a healthy size, stop that fertilizer and switch to feeding it with a fruit-enhancing type fertilizer.