Pests and diseases are an inevitable part of garden life. For the discerning gardener this can be quite unfortunate considering that garden vegetables and blooming flowers are what pests and diseases long for during their existence.
There are a few organic methods which can be used to target the pests and diseases living in your garden and reduce the risk of them harming your plants and vegetables, without having to use chemical control.
Firstly, when you’re buying plants it’s important to buy ones which look strong and vigorous; not ones with any discolouration or distortion to them. Check that it is suitable for the position you intend on planting it in, and pay particular attention to the type, texture, and pH of the soil to ensure that it will grow nicely in your garden. When planting, make sure that you have prepared the ground for its arrival and that the roots are properly spread out. After the plant has been planted it is vital that you follow the requirements for watering, feeding and sometimes pruning for that individual plant.
One of the most simple ways to reduce any risk of pests and diseases is to maintain a clean and tidy garden. This involves examining plants regularly in order to gain the ability of spotting any abnormalities and to be able to identify any new problems. It is always easier to treat an early identified infestation as opposed to one which has been well-established for quite some time.
Regular rotation of vegetable crops, usually on a three to four year basis, will help to prevent soil-borne pests and diseases from mounting up to a worrying level. It can also be worth rotating bulbs and annuals as it can reduce the risk of diseases such as pansy sickness and tulip fire.
Growing a specific type of plant in the same ground for many years can also lead to serious problems. If a disease such as pansy sickness did become evident, the best thing to do would be to remove all of the plants and grow a different species which will not be susceptible to the disease.
Bad growing conditions may result in poor growth for the plants as well as symptoms which resemble those from pest and diseases. When this happens, it is worth considering the growing environment as a whole. Such as the soil health, recent weather conditions, or if the plant is missing a vital piece of health care. In some lucky circumstances the plant is able to be restored, however in many cases you have to accept plant loss due to environmental issues.
With organic control you can help plants to both resist and recover from pest and disease attack. Over time, gardening experts have become increasingly more aware of the damage which chemicals can cause to your garden environment if used irresponsibly.
Organic treatments are often made from derris dust, soft soap, vegetable oils, or sulphur dust and they can be used as ready made powders, or liquid sprays. They have short persistence and only work when they have direct contact with the pest or disease. This is why regular and thorough applications are necessary.
Another fantastic organic method of treating garden pests is to use traps. It could be anything from moth traps hanging in the trees, or beer traps for slugs. Sticky traps are a very popular method for protecting your garden.
Remember to keep your garden as pest and disease free as possible to achieve the perfect garden.
If you would like to enquire about any products then call our highly experienced sales team now on 01263 820202 for helpful, friendly advice.
