Edible garden: Call in the army

You may find the leaves of your silverbeet, spinach, and cabbage covered in a suspicious-looking white powder. Photo / Supplied

Thanks to the dry autumn we've had, you may find the leaves of your silverbeet, spinach, and cabbage are covered in a suspicious-looking white powder and don't look good. But no need to call in the army.

It's the spores of a fungus called powdery mildew which grows when plants are too dry. You get rid of it by watering the plants. With the rain we've had recently, you may find the mildew's given up. If not, break the affected leaves off, keep the plant well watered, and new shiny leaves will grow. It is also safe to dispose of those infected leaves in the compost heap.

Prevent it by using the following spray: dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda in a cup of milk and mix with a cup of water. Use this spray twice a week to stimulate the plants' natural defences and improve the growth of useful microorganisms.

And when the autumn downpours start, don't squash your sodden soil by walking on it - keep to the paths, use a board to spread your weight or use raised beds that are narrow enough so you can reach every part of them from the outside.