End-of-season yellow squash plant - Ask Extension
Hello - Based on the attached photo, would you say that this plant was diseased, and should not be placed in municipal hot compost? It had a quite pr...
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End-of-season yellow squash plant #885532
Asked September 17, 2024, 8:57 AM EDT
Hello - Based on the attached photo, would you say that this plant was diseased, and should not be placed in municipal hot compost? It had a quite productive life. I dug it up a couple of days ago when it stopped producing and I note that it had some greenery, but that there was also a considerable amount of grey and dusty leaves, as well as a stem and some branches that were hollow and very gray.
(I also have a tomato plant that has mostly gray foliage but a few spotted leaves.)
Thanks as always. You do a terrific job and a tremendous service.
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi,
It looks mostly like powdery mildew which is common and not an issue for compost. Most municipal composting reaches high enough temperatures to kill insects and diseases. Usually they are monitored as well for an appropriate temperature and moisture content so the microbes will breakdown the plant materials appropriately. It would be find to put into municipal yard waste.
Emily
Emily - Thank you for your informative and rapid reply. I appreciate it. - Jim On 9/17/24 12:19 PM, Ask Extension wrote: >
you're welcome!
