{"id":9810,"date":"2019-07-30T00:12:47","date_gmt":"2019-07-30T05:12:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.consumerhealthdigest.com\/blog\/?p=9810"},"modified":"2019-07-30T01:55:53","modified_gmt":"2019-07-30T06:55:53","slug":"preventing-garden-bugs-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.consumerhealthdigest.com\/blog\/preventing-garden-bugs-disease.html","title":{"rendered":"Health at Home: Preventing Bugs and Disease in the Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"

After your first garden, every year seems like another personal challenge to grow the garden even bigger. <\/p>\n

There aren’t many things sweeter than strawberries from your own backyard. <\/p>\n

Unfortunately, there are plenty of ways to get sick from the garden<\/a> too. <\/p>\n

Where some pathogens attack the plant, other pathogens<\/a> can make their way to the dinner table if not properly cared for. <\/p>\n

From digestive strife to food poisoning, there are a number of surprising ways sick pants can make you sick.<\/p>\n

Following these golden rule guidelines will help you protect yourself against contaminated food and increase your gardens yield.<\/p>\n

Choose Plants Wisely<\/h2>\n

Perhaps the simplest way to prevent bugs and disease in the garden is to carefully examine the plants you introduce to the garden. <\/p>\n

If you are not starting from seed, it’s hard to predict the conditions the plants at the garden center were living under but there are a few signs that can indicate the health of the plant. <\/p>\n

Simply put: Healthy plants have plenty of roots. <\/p>\n

If you examine the bottom of the planter and see plenty of healthy roots, you’ve got a winner. <\/p>\n

Plants with a lack of root around the pot are not as healthy as their rooty counterparts. <\/p>\n

Plants with darker or \u2018mushy’ roots are not in good health, either. <\/p>\n

In fact, their often considered \u2018sick’ and less immune to the pathogens found in the common garden. <\/p>\n

Control the Environment<\/h2>\n

Once you’ve selected your planters and are ready to plant them in the garden, you need to control the environment. <\/p>\n

First, make sure that soil you are planting in is free of contaminants. <\/p>\n

A good way to accomplish this is to buy organic compost or make your own. <\/p>\n

If you intend to make your own compost, make sure you understand what can and can’t go into compost. <\/p>\n

Make sure the yard waste is 100% broken down. <\/p>\n

You do not want compost in the decomposition phase in your garden. <\/p>\n

Food or compost materials that are still rotting become a breeding ground for bad bugs and disease. <\/p>\n

Second, make sure that you’re giving the plants room to breathe. <\/p>\n

Plants can create their own humidity. <\/p>\n

If you plant them too close together, you can damage their ability to regulate moisture and contribute to fungus and pathogens calling your plants home. <\/p>\n

Follow the instructions for allotted space and keep growth in control. <\/p>\n

Even plants that were planted within the recommended space of one another can grow into each other’s personal space. <\/p>\n

Prevent Pests<\/h2>\n

Pest prevention may be the touchiest subject surrounding gardening. <\/p>\n

In fact, many of today’s home gardens are inspired by the idea of growing healthier food. <\/p>\n

With genetically modified vegetables and pesticide berries in every grocery store, it’s no wonder home gardeners take an organic approach to their food. <\/p>\n

That being said, a garden is not without its labor. <\/p>\n

In addition to watering, pruning, and caring for your plants you’ll need to protect them from common pests. <\/p>\n

One of the safest ways to do this is with nematodes<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Beneficial nematodes are the easiest way to eliminate dangerous pesticides and prevent pests. <\/p>\n

Water Carefully<\/h2>\n

Though watering plants may seem straightforward enough, there truly is an art to keeping the garden environment clear of fungi, bugs, and disease. <\/p>\n

A lot of it can be contributed to your watering patterns. <\/p>\n

When watering by hand, make sure that you are avoiding the leaves. <\/p>\n

Hold the foliage to the side and water the roots. <\/p>\n

Allowing extra moisture to build upon the plants you’re growing allows pathogens and fungi to have a breeding ground. <\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The disease is a triangle. <\/p>\n

It can only occur when three factors are present: <\/p>\n