Why Are My Cucumber Sick?

I recently started my first vegetable garden. I have cucumbers along with a few other vegetables. My problem is that for some reason my cucumber plants are dying. I have researched this issue a bit and think they may have something called "Downy Mildew" because of the yellow spots on the leaves and dying fruit. I bought a fungicide and spray the plants every couple of days, but this doesn't seems to be helping. I don't know for sure if this is wants going on, or if my solution is correct. Is there anyone one out there willing to use their expertise to help a new gardener?

Oh yeah, see the attached picture.

Thank you!!!

~Jenna

Hey Jenna

I couldn't see a photo but if it is downey mildew then there are a couple of things that will help.

Firstly take off about a third of the leaves so that you get good air circulation through the plant. You should also avoid splashing the leaves with water but rather trickle water into the base of the plant morning and evening to maintain good, constant soil moisture. The main trick is dry air round the plant with cool, moist roots.

If you feel you do have to spray go for something that is sulfer free as this can taint the taste of the fruits. Hygiene is key so remove any affected leaves and put them in the bin not on the compost heap & at the end of the season put the plants in the bin too. That way you're not building up a nasty source of infection for the future.

There are also good varieties that have resistance such as Marketmore available from Heirloom Seeds.

Hope this helps.

Pete

Also as a final word

Thank you for the help Pete. I will certainly give this a try.