www.organicbazar.net
Maintaining a healthy vegetable garden involves keeping pests and diseases at bay. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you protect your plants and ensure a bountiful harvest.
Identifying Common Pests
Aphids, caterpillars, slugs, whiteflies and snails are very common pests that can quickly infest potted plants.
Common Diseases:
Common diseases include powdery mildew, blight, root rot, and leaf spot, causing white, powdery substances, dark spots, brown or black roots, and poor drainage.
2. Preventative Measures
To ensure healthy plants, start with nutrient-rich, well-draining soil and rotate crops each season to prevent soil-borne diseases and disrupt pest life cycles.
Proper Spacing:
Plant vegetables with ample space for air circulation to reduce fungal infections. Plant pest-repellent plants like marigolds, basil, and garlic alongside your vegetables.
3. Natural Pest Control Methods
Handpicking plants involves inspecting and removing pests like caterpillars, slugs, and snails, while introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs and predatory wasps can help control harmful pests.
Neem Oil:
Mix neem oil with water and dish soap to spray on plants for pest control, or use homemade or store-bought insecticidal soap to control soft-bodied insects like aphids and whiteflies.
Organic Disease Control Methods
Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 gallon of water and a few drops of dish soap. Spray on plants to prevent fungal diseases such as powdery mildew.
Pruning:
Remove infected leaves and stems to prevent the spread of diseases. Dispose of cut material properly.