Snowball bush died from fungus. I’ve been told I cannot plant another snowball in its place because of this.

Question

Is there anything I can do to sterilize the soil so that I can plant another snowball there?
This bush has been beautiful and healthy. But we’ve had continuous rain and it succumbed.
I will miss it.

Answer 1

You can kill many disease organisms by solarization. That takes from 4 to 6 weeks. Then you should be ready for fall planting.

Here are two articles that should help.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/projects/how-to-solarize-garden-beds-to-eliminate-garden-pests-in-the-soil.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/planting-in-old-spaces.htm