Zucchini is a favorite of home gardeners for good reason: it’s prolific, easy to grow, and the fruits taste so darn good.
But these plant may be attacked by a whole range of diseases, from bacteria that can kill off your plants in a matter of days, to fungi that can make the fruits rot right on the vine.
Luckily, many of these diseases are treatable, and you can head off a range of issues with some preparation and good gardening practices, all of which we’ll discuss here.
We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.
You can learn more about how to plant and care for zucchini in our growing guide.
Here’s the lineup:
Keep in mind that different pathogens can have more of an impact in different climates and growing areas. What may ravage your garden in the West may not bother plants at all on the East Coast. On top of that, the time of year that a disease is active varies from region to region.
Since so many diseases have similar symptoms, it can help to check with your local extension office to find out what typically plagues plants in your neighborhood. You can also chat with neighbors to see what problems they’ve dealt with.
Keep an eye on your garden from year to year and make a note of planting dates, time to harvest, and any infections or signs of disease on your plants in your gardening journal. This will also help you to develop a crop rotation plan, and serves as a helpful reminder of any problems you encountered in previous years.
Then, use the following guide to get a handle on your gardening foes.
1. Alternaria Leaf BlightAlternaria leaf blight is caused by a fungus, Alternaria cucumerina, that shows
Read more on gardenerspath.com