Question
Mike, I built a raised garden bed and started my first-ever vegetable garden. I live in Birmingham, AL, so it's hot, hot, hot. Things seem to be going well. At first, I made the mistake of over-watering. A powdery mildew started appearing on the surface of the soil. I actually asked a question here on AllExperts, and I was advised to treat the soil with an organic fungicide 棤which I did on the prescribed schedule.

Now, however, I'm starting to notice tiny mushrooms popping up in increasing frequency. They come up over night and then die off in the heat during the day. Then they pop up again. When it is wet and rainy for an extended period, they are more prevalent.

Is this a good thing? I used a mushroom compost when I started the garden, so part of me wonders if it's from that. Or could it be from the fungus that developed from over-watering? Help!

Also - bonus question: I'm employing the square-foot gardening method. How are you able to control the spread of certain vegetables though? Like canteloupe. I planted a single canteloupe plant, but it's quickly moved out of it's square foot and is encroaching on a nearby pepper!

Josh

Answer
Josh, the mushrooms will not do any harm to the garden. They will eventually compost into the soil.

In regards to vining plants like squash and melons, that is why it is so important to space them 2 feet apart. I also keep them in a separate bed so that they will not impede on lower growing plants like lettuce, bush beans, and peppers. If they are interfering with the growth of the other plants, carefully lift the vine and point it in a different direction. Otherwise, they will overtake the other vegetables.

Good luck, and have a nice weekend.

Mike