Powdery Mildew Proactiveness

I decided to consult Margaret Roach (host of Home Grown on the Martha Stewart Sirius Radio channel) about the Garden Phlox powdery mildew issue I have in G4. She says the secret to keeping the powdery mildew at bay is NOT to start combatting it when you start to see it, but get in early when the plant is still small.

When the shoots start coming up out of the ground, cut 1/3 back to the ground to thin the plant. This will promote air circulation. Then just before the humid weather starts, start to spray the plant periodically with the organic solution I normally use (baking soda, etc.) Use this throughout the summer, thinning the plant as needed.

May 24, 2007: I didn't get the jump on the PM this spring. It has formed just a bit on some of the phlox. I sprayed it today and will again this Sunday as it has rained.
May 28, 2007: Thinned and sprayed phlox again. I have noticed that about the bottom 10" of each stalk have whitthered and dried (powdery mildew or something else?). It is crowded down there with no breeze.

Cleaning Garden Tools

I will be off to find the following supplies to create my own "Garden Tool Cleaning Center."

Small bristle brush:
Brush off dirt that has stuck to the Garden Tool.

Bucket of sand with motor oil mixed in:
Plunging spades and other like tools in and out of the sand after use will keep the excess dirt off and a thin sheen of oil will preserve the tools.

Rubbing Alcohol & Motor Oil on a rag kept in a plastic Ziploc bag:
Clean pruners with alcohol after use. Wipe off bypass pruners with the oily rag before putting pruners away. This will keep them from rusting.