Ruud Kleinpaste: Looking out for seasonal troubles in the garden

<p><span>Looking out for seasonal troubles</span> </p> <p><span>Some of us had a rubbish summer – wind and water and wholesale destruction.</span> </p> <p><span>It’s really hard to give suitable advice as each situation is different.</span> </p> <p><span>The only thing I can say is: protect your valuable top-soil, as that is the most important part of your garden.</span> </p> <p><span>Mulch what you’ve got and add more organic materials to allow the beneficial creatures to thrive.</span> </p> <p><span>Plant your winter crops when you have the time and inclination to do so: Brassicas and good root crops. Don’t give up!</span> </p> <p><span>For those of us that have had a drought: we may have broken that problem over the past weeks or so. But temperatures have been relatively high and the dry conditions have turned a lot more moist:</span> </p> <p><span><strong>Mildew</strong> is amongst us.</span> </p> <p><span>That white cover on the leaves on a range of plants (roses, pumpkins, oak leaves, grapes, you name it). It’s caused by a fungus that loves warm day time temperatures, followed by cooler evening temperatures – it causes a layer of dew on the leaves and rust spores love that very much.</span> </p> <p></p> <p><span><strong>Prevention</strong>: spray some copper/sulphur fungicide on the leaves on a regular basis; it literally creates a barrier for the spores to become active.</span> </p> <p><span>Plants that are already “hammered” by mildew may need a heavier, “systemic” fungicidal spray to contain the fungus</span> </p> <p><span><strong>Spider mites</strong> adore the late-summer heat. They have slowly increased their numbers, built fine webs on susceptible host plants and are reproducing like there’s no tomorrow.</span> </p> <p></p> <p><span>Organic control can be achieved via Yates’ fatty acid spray (NatraSoap) … that stuff works on tiny critters with a sensitive skin; alternative: Neem Oil or Conqueror Oil.</span> </p> <p><span>Repeat sprays recommended.</span></p> <p><strong>LISTEN ABOVE</s