Downy mildew - how to clean the soil?

[kathyd]

My peas have done really well this year I'm pleased to say, but they've all suffered from downy mildew both inside the tunnel and in the garden. Once the plants are removed, is there any way of cleaning up the soil, or will it sort itself out? Obviously I won't plant legumes in the same beds next year, but are there any other precautions I should be taking?

Thx

[mothhawk]

The spores blow about on the wind, so whatever you do on your land, you can still get spores blowing in from elsewhere.

In the tunnel though, keep the humidity down and don't ever let the leaves get wet or damp. The spores need wet leaves to grow, so keep them dry and water carefully so as not to splash plants, which will splash the spores onto them. Maybe just stick a hose in one end of the tunnel and let the water seep it's way across the whole area.

Don't compost the affected plants as downy mildew produces spores inside the plant as well that can be viable for 5 years, and are released into the soil/compost as the plant material decomposes.

[kathyd]

Humidity has been a problem this year I think - it's certainly been humid outside the tunnel, so assume it's been at least as bad inside... I do usually try to avoid leaves when watering, but I must admit a couple of times recently I've used a hose during the very hot weather because I've simply run out of time and energy to do it all with a can, although I think the mildew had already started so I don't think this was the cause of it. I'll be careful not to compost it anyway, thanks for that

[Dusty Rhodes]

Cleaning up the soil...Solarization, ie laying down plastic on the ground and cooking the soil underneath for a month or so might help if you get enough sun/heat. I'd rake up/pull out the infected material and remove it first.

[kathyd]

Solarisation eh? Not heard of it before . We had blazing temps until this week, now it's raining a lot and much cooler. Think it'll heat up again during August though, so I'll try it then. Thx.