Safety Warnings

Dispose of diseased plant material properly to prevent spores from overwintering.

Tools Needed

Rake — Standard garden rake for autumn cleanup

Resistant Seeds — Marketmore 76, Slicemaster, or Raider varieties(As needed per garden size)

1

Select and plant resistant squash varieties such as Marketmore 76, Slicemaster, and Raider.

Tip: Using resistant cultivars is the first line of defense against powdery mildew.

2

Space plants apart properly to avoid crowding.

Tip: Increased spacing allows for better air circulation, which discourages fungal growth.

3

Eliminate weeds around the squash plants and the general garden area.

Tip: Removing weeds further improves air circulation around the foliage.

4

Rake and dispose of all fallen or diseased leaves and fruit in autumn.

Tip: This removes the source of fungal spores that could infect next year's crop.

Synthesized from 17 verified sources:

Cornell ExtensionView →

Gutenberg: Manual of GardeningView →

Wind River Greens Plant DatabaseView →

Gutenberg: Home Vegetable GardeningView →

Wind River Greens Plant DatabaseView →

Gutenberg: Farm Gardening GuideView →

Wind River Greens Plant DatabaseView →