Dealing with garden diseases

There are many garden diseases, each with its own unique problems and cures. Here are a few of them.

Until a few years ago, most of us still turned to chemicals to combat plant diseases. But many gardeners have come full circle, opting for tried-and-true organic methods to counteract pests and keep plants healthy. Some jurisdictions have even banned chemical fertilizers and pest controls, which makes it mandatory to adopt more environmentally-friendly solutions.

Fungus in garden plants is usually weather-related; either very damp or very dry weather can encourage fungal growth. In addition, viruses and, much less frequently, bacteria, nutrient deficiency, or overabundance can also cause health issues for plants.

• Prevent disease by considering location and observing the rules of mixed cultivation and crop rotation.
• Avoid overfertilizing plants; instead, fortify them with broths and slurries.

This fungal disease, also known as grey mould, frequently attacks fruits and vegetables, especially strawberries, bell peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, and grapevines. Ornamental plants can also be affected.

• Afflicted produce develops a greyish-white fungus, and may rot and die.
• Space plants out well and prune to ensure good air circulation as prevention.
• Place straw underneath strawberry plants to keep the fruit from lying on the ground.
• If botrytis bunch rot has already gained a foothold, remove all diseased plants. Burn or bury them to prevent further spread.

This metabolic disorder is also known by the term jaundice. The plant doesn't produce enough chlorophyll, so the leaves turn yellow. This occurs as a result of too much lime in the soil, excessively dense soil, or waterlogging, especially with raspberries, hydrangeas, pelargoniums, rhododendrons, and roses. Individual leaves, plant parts, or even the entire plant turns yellow, and the flowers become pale. Only the veins of the leaves retain their green. The plant withers. For prevention:

• Water your plants with soft rainwater, or douse them occasionally with a stinging nettle slurry.
• If chlorosis is already present, loosen up the soil and improve it by working in some humus.

Fire blight is an infectious bacterial disease that especially affects stone fruits and various decorative woody plants. It can penetrate even into the heartwood of the plant, so the only remedy is a radical amputation down to healthy wood. Dispose of the lopped-off branches in the household trash, and disinfect tools with rubbing alcohol.