The mutabile zucchini was supposed to be mildew resistant, which is why I planted that variety. Unfortunately about the same time it started to flower, it also started to get powdery mildew. I did some minor pruning, but the plants were fairly small and I didn't want to rip all the leaves off. I've left it largely to itself since then, but now it's spreading to my other squash plants. So I did some serious pruning. Maybe I went overboard, but I'm hoping that by removing almost all of the effected leaves (particularly those heavily effected) I can slow the progression down. Powdery mildew was what took out most of the front raised bed last year. I'm crossing my fingers that my now-exposed white acorn squashes aren't raided by squirrels, skunks, or raccoons before they can ripen and be picked. Looks like we'll only have one or two more mutabile zucchini before those plants give up. They haven't flowered in a while now. Perhaps the pruning will encourage more growth?
Today's garden harvest included one cucumber, five "Banana-Rama" sweet peppers, two handfuls of assorted beans, and five branches of purple basil.
The front garden is starting to look a little unruly. Nothing as chaotic as last year with the pumpkin and squash vines taking over the yard, but still it's looking a little rough. All of the lettuce has gone to seed now. Tony is supposed to be picking up some paper bags today after work so I can harvest all of the lettuce plants, hang them upside-down in the bags and collect the seeds. That may help with some of the garden's aesthetic issues. Mowing the lawn might help too... also on the "to do" list today.