What do you need to know to prevent pests

know to prevent pests?

Every garden season is different. Weather patterns, soil conditions, pest and disease infestations all vary from year to year. Although many horticultural variables are often unpredictable, there are ways to reduce the incidence of pests and diseases no matter what conditions you are in.

Pests and diseases are opportunistic in nature. They like to exploit already weak plants in poor condition. Increase your chances of avoiding them altogether by following some of the best horticultural practices to ensure a healthy, strong garden.

Choose the right plant for the right place

The first step you need to take to provide the best chance of success in your garden is to choose the right plant for the right place. If you keep the plants in an environment that is well adapted to their needs, they will become healthier and more vulnerable to pest damage, and less likely to get sick. Proven winners recommend the following when considering what to plant in your garden and where to plant it. First, select plants that are compatible with the general climate of your area and identify the hardiness zone of your area. More specifically, consider how much sunlight an area receives each day, whether the soil retains water or is too dry, and whether or not that area has much traffic. Then, do some more research on the plants you want to use in your garden and make sure they are a good fit. Do not forget to give your plants enough space to grow. A crowded garden can lead to more competitive and stunted plants. Not to mention the bad air circulation as a result of a crowded garden will increase humidity and the chances of diseases.

Focus on the soil

Healthy soil equals healthy plants. If your plant is malnourished and is struggling to develop enough energy to survive, it may not have the energy needed to cope with pests or diseases. The best way to ensure nutrient-dense soil is to add organic matter, preferably rich, organic manure each year. Also, look for additional organic fertilizers during the growing season, especially for heavier feeds. Heavy fodder includes asparagus, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, onions, peppers, and lettuce, according to Grow Great Vegetables. In addition, weed your beds well so that unwanted plants do not use up nutrients. Plant a cover crop such as buckwheat or clover to help control weeds and rebuild the soil between growing seasons.

Water is smart

Well, water can make a big difference in the overall health of your garden. Here are the main things to keep in mind. As a general rule, most plants need about 1 inch of water each week. Always check to water and water when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil is dry, but there is a little moisture below it. Furthermore, deep watering encourages plant roots to search for water, and they become better established stronger plants. If you make a habit of shallow, but frequent watering, you are encouraging plant roots to be close to the soil surface, creating a weaker, more drought-tolerant plant. The more stress a plant has to deal with, the more prone it is to pests and diseases. Also, if possible, pour water early in the morning. This allows the plants to use the water efficiently, as most of the water usually evaporates before the heat of the day before the plants have a chance to use it. Watering in the morning allows the plant to dry completely before the night temperature drops. Wet leaves help in the development of the disease during dark and cold nights. For the same reason, water only helps to stagnate around the leaves and the root zone of the plant.

Rotate your crops

Crop rotation is important for two main reasons. First, not rotating your crops quickly depletes some of the nutrients in your soil. For example, tomatoes are fed heavy nitrogen. If you plant them in the same place year after year, nitrogen deficiency in the soil may occur sooner or at least require more serious correction and fertilization. Instead, after planting tomatoes, plant legumes that return nitrogen to the soil. Planting plants in the same place every year is more likely to be damaged by pests. Insect eggs often winter in the soil, so they are a great treat if you plant their favorite plant in the same place Will be born. A good crop should be allowed two years to replant in its original place.

Keep the garden elegant

To keep pest and disease damage to a minimum, it is important to immediately remove diseased and/or pest-infested plant material from your garden. Also, weed your beds as weeds provide extra cover for insect pests. Also, make sure to clean up spent or rotten plants. Insects and diseases that affect a plant while it is alive are often caused by the over-cooling of rotting plant material. No. Be very careful Use any diseased plant material in your fertilizer as many diseases can winter in the soil and affect your fertilizer supply.