"David Hare-Scott" wrote in
:





It is hard to say without seeing what has happened but one possibility
is too wet and not enough sun. Corn and cucurbits (any plant that
needs energy to make fruit) need full sun. Extended periods of rain
or cloud are equivalent to heavy shade. Also cucurbits in particular
are susceptible to fungi which is made worse in such conditions,
powdery mildew for example can set them back very badly.

D



Hmmm,
Looks like I had all those problems. Actually, we had a fairly sunny
and dry summer. Once it finaly showed up. But it was several weeks
into the season before I noticed that the garden was too shady.
I helped the situation some what by trimming a branch off the
offending tree. But it was several more weeks before I learned
that my neighbor had a pole saw and I took off another branch.
We did have a white fungus on the leaves. I tried a few remidies
that were some help. Add to that the poor soil. I am getting some
good advise on how to properly prepare the soil for next season.