Dealing With Plant Diseases

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Here are some useful and less harmful way to master insects and diseases. A secret to thriving organic gardening is recognizing what to do and when to do it.

Disease control in the garden relies mainly on prevention. Begin with disease-resistant plant varieties (you may not be able to do this if you plant heritage or heirloom varieties).

Also take care of pest problems as soon as they happen.

Nearly all viral diseases and wilts contaminate through wounds that are caused by insects.

In a lot of cases, the insects transport the disease with them, infecting as they eat.

Fungus diseases like blights, anthracnose and septoria leaf spot do not need a wound to enter.

They're circulated through the air or by spattering raindrops.

As soon as the disease gains a foothold, there's very little you can do to control them.

Prevention is the most beneficial medicine when it comes to mastering diseases. Set the groundwork for your prevention plan by:

• Planting fruit trees that fit your climate and location.
• Planting only small plots of one fruit type or cultivar.
• Picking disease-resistant cultivars if they're available.
• Giving your soil and plants the best possible nourishment and maintenance.

Many disease organisms require moisture to grow and reproduce. Strip them of moisture and they won't be so fast to make your life unhappy.

The following will keep moisture to a minimum:

• Create space for air movement to evaporate dew and raindrops on plants as quickly as possible.
• Maximize use of nature's fungicides, air and sunshine, to keep diseases from becoming big problems.
• Stay clear of shaded or boxed in areas where the air never circulates.
• Keep fruit crops properly pruned to prevent branch crowding.
• Stick to spacing and pruning recommendations offered in the pages below.
• Use trickle or drip irrigation when watering. Water the soil, not the plants. And don't water too much.

Learn about canker, the name for several fungal diseases that affect trees, bushes, shrubs and roses bushes.

Learn what to look for with plant diseases.

Here's a list of common vegetable diseases associated with a number of vegetables.

Here's a list of fruit tree diseases associated with apple, pear and peach trees.

Here's a list of the most common rose diseases.

From Plant Diseases to Organic Fertilizers Info