Also depends on which fungicide is being used. You need to be careful about spraying Daconil with the sun out when temps get up around 78 F. Daconil is a good cool weather springtime spray here -- helps prevent botrytis. It is not as good as summer heats up as it will burn roses in warm weather. If you spray any fungicide in the evening, spray at a time that your spray dries before nightfall. If the spray does not dry it will likely exasperate the fungal problems. Fungicides are ineffective when wet, and spray on the roses that does not dry within a reasonably short time will contribute to fungal problems.

OK, so I sprayed it with water several times and mixed the mud up with the dry soil, then added some complete organic fertilizer, and bought some compost which I both mixed in and added as a top 1/2 inch layer. It may still be a bit silty in parts of it, but I do think I added a good bit of organic matter (the store-bought topsoil I put in there earlier was mostly peat moss and forest floor compost plus sand). In any case, I am planting arugula and escarole which I think are pretty hardy plants, so if the soil isn't in top-shape they should still be able produce something for me. I think that it soaks better now, it doesn't just turn to sludge like it did originally. I live in the Pacific NW in the USA, and in fall it is very rainy, so I think that now I will just let the rain do its work. Can I just use more of the store compost (I only added half to the bed so far, because it was over-full) to mulch the plants once they are bigger, or do I need heavier stuff like wood chips or straw? Thanks for the advice!

You're welcome. From what I see about the label on line: VEGETABLES, HERBS, SPICES, ROSES, HOUSEPLANTS, FLOWERS, TREES, AND SHRUBS. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS ferti-lomeî ROSE, FLOWER & VEGETABLE SPRAY is an effective fungicide for the prevention and control of various Fungal Diseases including Powdery Mildew, Black Spot, Downy Mildew, Anthracnose, Rust, Leaf Spot, Botrytis, Needle Rust, Scab and Flower, Twig and Tip Blight, and Alternaria. As a preventative, apply ferti-lomeî ROSE, FLOWER & VEGETABLE SPRAY on a 7 to 14 day schedule until the potential for Disease development is no longer present. To control Disease already present, apply ferti-lomeî ROSE, FLOWER & VEGETABLE SPRAY on a 7 day schedule until Disease pressure is eliminated. Then continue spraying on a 14 day schedule to prevent the Disease from reoccurring. To prevent Rust Leaf Spot Diseases, Anthracnose and Scab, begin applications at the first sign of Spring budding. To prevent Powdery Mildew, apply in mid-Summer or when Disease is first detected. Continue applications until Disease pressure no longer exists. MIXING INSTRUCTIONS Mix ferti-lomeî ROSE, FLOWER & VEGETABLE SPRAY at the rate of 2 tablespoons (1 fluid ounce) per gallon of water. Thoroughly mix solution and spray all Plant surfaces (including undersides of leaves) until completely wet. Frequently mix solution as you spray. Hopefully, you didn't exceed the 2 TBS per gallon. Even at that rate, if your weather is expected to be as hot as you've indicated, you might experience some burn. But, what is worse? Scorched leaves of black spotted, falling foliage? You're right, it's always something! Your higher heat is going to help prevent some of the disease spread because it can get too hot for the spores to germinate. Until it begins remaining cooler, I wouldn't spray be once every two weeks for fear of burn. Good luck! Kim

To control your nute temperature, you also need to apply relective insulation to your troughs. They heat up and the water absorbs that heat as it flows past. I wrapped my troughs in aluminum foil and it helped control temperatures very well. Another benefit is it helps block light tremendously too which may help alleviate your algae problem. Also, I believe algae feed heavy on nitrogen which may, partially, explain your pH spikes. nitrogen brings the pH down. lose it and pH spikes. Also you might want to make sure you take pH measurements of nutrient that has cooled to somewhere along the lines of 70 - 75 degrees unless you compensating for the temperature. ANyway, just my thoughts.