Elliemae, hog or cattle panels, solidly attached, covered by chicken wire with hardware cloth at the bottom (ideally buried as well) will keep out just about everything except a bear.
Blossom end rot is supposed to be calcium-deficiency related, but is also is more likely in plants that are stressed from uneven watering - very dry to very wet and back. A little bone meal in the hole when you plant them helps.
Powdery mildew spray -
1 qt water
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp Murphy's Oil Soap
1 tsp liquid soap (eg dishwashing) WITHOUT antibacterial agents (Triclosan)
Mix together and mist plants and leaves, including the undersides. Spray every week, and after it rains. Spray the surrounding ground as well.
Blossom end rot is supposed to be calcium-deficiency related, but is also is more likely in plants that are stressed from uneven watering - very dry to very wet and back. A little bone meal in the hole when you plant them helps.
Powdery mildew spray -
1 qt water
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp Murphy's Oil Soap
1 tsp liquid soap (eg dishwashing) WITHOUT antibacterial agents (Triclosan)
Mix together and mist plants and leaves, including the undersides. Spray every week, and after it rains. Spray the surrounding ground as well.