Like the rest of us, our plants require regular health checkups. And just like us, prevention is the best medicine. As you tend to your garden, it's important that we take the necessary steps to prevent diseases, whether fungal or pest-related, from taking hold. Here are some tips to keep top of mind.
Watering in the morning is preferable for several reasons, but among them is that wet leaves have the opportunity to dry, staving off fungal diseases. Watering in the evening doesn't allow for foliage to fully dry, leaving plants susceptible to disease.
As your plants have grown through the spring and summer, you may notice that your garden has become quite crowded. An overcrowded garden hinders air flow and creates an environment ideal for powdery mildew and black spots. Consider pruning to promote better air flow and, if necessary, transplanting.
Pests mostly annoy because of how they chew through plants, but some also bring disease into the garden. Aphids are well known for being among these pests. Using a combination of companion planting and organic solutions, such as neem oil or introducing competing insects like lady bugs, to repels pests, gardeners can eliminate many of the pest-related risks in their garden.
Sometimes the best course of action is to physically remove the disease from the plant. In some cases, disease can be contained by cutting off the infected stems; however, in more severe cases, the plant will need to be destroyed. Whatever the case, sick plants should be disposed of and not composted.
