Oh, good point about removing the plant, Sue. But if the fungus is also in the soil, shouldn't the soil around there also be treated, and unaffected plants around the area?
Kyla, alfalfa pellets are a fantastic soil amendment, and as you say they add and generate actinomycetes which surely will help with long-term health of your soil.
The other thing to do after frost kills things back in the fall is to till the soil up wherever you've had these problems in hopes that freezing temps will kill off the pathogens.
Down here we don't have enough cold to do that, so instead, we 'solarize' infected soil by covering with clear plastic and letting the sun bake the soil. If this continues to be a recurring menace for you, this is another good, non-chemical treatment. I solarize my garden in small segments, as I clear out an area. Up where you live, it's best to do this in June when the sun is hottest.
