My garden has been ravaged this summer by mildew!
I wont use chemicals but have used milk and water,
or vinegar and water. These things seem to work
but Im wondering if I need to spray next spring
before it shows up and infects everything again!
We are very near a river/lake and have much
moisture but Ive never had this much problem before!

yes, yes, please help with this question as i to have it all over my phlox and other babies

i get it on my phlox i use
4 tbsp of baking soda
2 tbsp of murphys oil soap
1 gal of warm water

yep its best to treat em first thing in spring, befor the mildew spores can spread,

Also picking up the effected leaves when they drop, *cleaning up in the fall is best, so it doesn't over winter on top of the soil*

and thinning the plant out..
*ie: bee balm is famous for powdery mildew...
thin every two or three plants out to give room
in between the plants for aeration and free moving air flow*

and watch your own watering practices,
to water early in the morning....
so the soil has a chance to dry out during the day...
and to "water their toes, not their nose"
meaning=water the soil, not on top of the plant or leaves...