I'm losing a battle with this dusty moldy stuff. I can grow out a plant to harvesting status in 35 days so I might just pull out my crook neck, zukes and cukes and replace them. I've got plenty of time in the season left to get a good harvest. The question is will the new plants be infected just like the old ones?
Is there any way I can sterilize the soil before planting?
If the soil is screwed what could I put in place of it without it becoming infected?
Powdery mildew is not a soil-borne disease; it's carried on the currents of air that waft through our gardens. 
Have you read the tips here at THG about helping your plants along with milk/water sprays or other easy-to-find, effective combinations?
Just enter "powdery mildew" into the Search box at the upper left-hand corner of almost every page. TONS of threads will be returned, so read the ones which seem to be of the most importance to your situation.
Good luck.
Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9
Have you read the tips here at THG about helping your plants along with milk/water sprays or other easy-to-find, effective combinations?
Just enter "powdery mildew" into the Search box at the upper left-hand corner of almost every page. TONS of threads will be returned, so read the ones which seem to be of the most importance to your situation.
Good luck.
Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9