Image for article titled How to Get Rid of Powdery Mildew on Your Plants

Watching your plants grow throughout the season is one of the best parts of having a garden in the summer. If you notice some white circular spots on the leaves, or if they look like they have been dusted with flour, you may be dealing with powdery mildew.

It's not something you want to mess with, because it can harm the plant and spread to others in your garden, and it can also cause infections. What to know about powdery mildew and how to get rid of it is here.

What is powdery mildew?

Plants look like they have been dusted with flour or baby powder when they have powdery mildew. The white powder starts out in circular spots and eventually spreads to cover the entire leaf. The leaves and buds can be damaged by the powdery mildew.

How to prevent the spread of powdery mildew

It's important to get rid of powdery mildew as soon as you see it. There isn't much you can do to save a plant that has been taken over by the fungus. It is possible to prevent it from spreading to other plants in your garden.

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According to the Farmers' Almanac, the best way to remove the infections from a plant is to either throw them away or burn them. Don't just throw the clippings in the woods or on a compost pile because that can allow the fungus to spread. Thoroughly wash your shears with rubbing alcohol to make sure you don't spread any diseases to other plants.

How to get rid of powdery mildew

You have the best chance of getting rid of powdery mildew if you catch it early on. Here are a few ways to do it.

Spray the plants with water

The leaves of a plant are not able to grow if there is rain or water. It is possible to keep powdery mildew at bay by spraying your plants with water at least once a week.

DIY sprays

Many seasoned gardeners have their favorite ways to get rid of powdery mildew. If the sprays contain ingredients that can burn your plants, you should test them in a small area before covering your whole garden. A few are included.

  • 1 tablespoon baking soda + 1 tablespoon vegetable oil + 1 teaspoon dish soap + 1 gallon of water
  • 4 tablespoons baking soda + 2 tablespoons of Murphy’s oil soap + 1 gallon of water
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons vinegar + 1 gallon of water
  • 1 part milk to 10 parts water
  • 1 cup mouthwash + 3 cups of water

Neem oil

You can either buy nim oil on its own or mix it with water according to the directions, or you can use a pre-mixed spray. Follow the instructions on the label.