Dealing with diseases in the garden
CHRISTIE SCHLUETER
Keeping tabs on problems in the garden is
something one has to constantly check for. Do a
daily walk through your garden and check you
plants so diseases won’t take over your garden.
To minimize problems with insects and diseases,
start with healthy soil that will give plants
what they need to thrive. The best defense
is prevention: use growing techniques that
encourage healthy plants and practice good
garden sanitation. When plants show symptoms,
identify the insect or disease that is causing the
problem and use the least-harmful method for
dealing with that specific problem.
Keep a record of your garden from year to year.
You will then know when certain insects or
diseases may be problems and can take steps to
prevent or minimize damage to your plants the
following year.
Plan your garden plantings. Rotate your garden
plants so you aren’t growing crops in the same
place where they had problems before. Use
companion planting when designing your garden
layout; some strong-smelling plants can help repel
insects. Plant trap crops that will attract pest
insects away from your desired plantings.
Encourage natural predators. Attract beneficial
insects to your garden by planting flowers
or other plants that they use for food. Insect
predators include spiders, lacewings, ladybugs,
praying mantis, wasps and others. Birds will also
consume harmful insects.
Check plants regularly for signs of insects or
disease. Look for insect eggs on leaf and stem
undersides and crush them. Cultivate soil to
destroy eggs. Remove or treat diseased plants
promptly.
Handle plants carefully to avoid spreading
diseases; damaged stems or torn leaves are open
to infection. Don’t handle plants when they are
wet. Cut fruits or flowers with a sharp knife or
Time to Focus on the Joys of Life
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12
Senior
Connections April 2019
scissors to avoid tugging on the plant.
Keep weeds under control. Some weeds
encourage insects, or are hosts for diseases.
Weeds rob your garden of nutrients needed by
your plants.
When you notice an insect, try to identify through
a good book, such as Garden Insect of North
America by Whitney Cranshaw. Or ask your
extension agent or a master gardener to help
you identify it. Or search online on a university
website.
Research the insect and your specific crop to
determine if you really need to do anything.
Some insects cause little damage, or the damage
is cosmetic. Trap bugs in a small jar to make
identification easier. Determine the best control
for the insect and your plant. Hand removing
larger insects may be the best remedy, or spraying
with water or a homemade vegetable/soap mix.
You might find that sticky insect traps will
work, or releasing beneficial insects. Some
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