The struggle to keep your plants free from disease is ongoing. One way to make the battle a little easier is by using a number of methods to protect your plants.
To start with, proper preparation of soil and selection of seeds are a must. In selecting a plant to transplant, make sure it is free of disease and remove any diseased sections to prevent infection of healthy plants.
By watering early in the day you ensure that the leaves are dry before the cool, moist night air sets in. It is also important to be careful when watering plants, because diseases can be carried in runoff water from other plants, in the same way that a sneeze can transfer a cold from one person to another.
Many viruses are spread by contact, and insects are common carries. In order to keep this under control, maintain close watch on the insect population in your garden. Humans and animals are also at fault for the spread of some diseases, such as tobacco mosaic virus.
By regularly weeding the garden, it is not only more attractive, it is also a healthier environment for plants to thrive in. Many harmful organisms feed on weeds, and are then carried to your precious vegetables by insects, water movement and the wind.
A little education never hurt, especially when it comes to disease recognition. Often, by spotting early warning signs, you can help prevent an outbreak among your whole garden.
Problems such as mold should be given proper attention. By removing infected sections, or perhaps the entire plant, the problem can be kept under control. When the outer edges of lettuce touch the ground, a wet rot may start to form at the base, causing lettuce mold. Other molds to look out for are the white Sclerotinia mold and the gray Botrytis mold.
When spinach leaves become blotchy and turn a yellowish color, it is often the sign of spinach mosaic virus. Plant growth is stunted, and the leaves wilt. By working with, or growing, resistant varieties you proactively eliminate the problem from the start.
Fungi that attack asparagus plants can cause a number of problems. Wilting or rotting plants, as well as discoloration of the shoots and roots can be caused by Fusarium. Removing infected plants can help keep the problem under control. Red spots on the spears and shoots are the result of the Puccinia fungus. Some strong fungus strains may even survive through the winter. In order to keep these problems to a minimum, it is necessary to avoid over watering.
Tomato plants are subject to a number of problems including leaf spots and disfigurement. Most diseases attack in mid-August, particularly when the summer has been on the cool side. Diseases infecting the soil, such as a number of fungi, may move into the tomato plant. Harmful toxins produced by walnut trees can be carried through the soil by roots, and attack your crop. Watching leaves for dark, circular rings is important, and making sure that leaves are dry by nightfall can help lower the risk of infection.
The key to producing a healthy crop of vegetables is by recognizing the warning signs of disease, and dealing with the early, as well as proactively protecting your garden.