It looks like salad caprese is in trouble this summer in Maryland.
Not only is late blight showing up in some parts of the state on tomatoes, the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service is reporting a mildew problem with basil.
This is a relatively new disease for East Coast states. Leaf yellowing is the most noticeable symptom. Infected leaves will then blacken and die. The disease can enter your garden on seeds or transplants. It spreads quickly and widely via fungal spores carried by air currents.
Monitor your plants closely for symptoms and be prepared to pull out, bag up, and throw out infected plants. It is safe to eat leaves from infected plants- the disease does not harm people. If you lose plants to downy mildew you can sow fresh seed in containers or in another part of your garden.
Warm, wet, humid weather encourages the spread of downy mildew. Plant basil in full sun locations and don’t crowd your plants. Good air circulation around plants can help reduce the risk of infection.
has extensive information on this problem and Adrian Higgins recently reported on it for the
.
No word yet on problems with fresh mozzarella.