Tips from Olle Garden Bed: Reduce Fungal Diseases in The Garden

In many places, fungal disease is a major problem for gardeners. This is especially true when they take root in closed environments, such as greenhouses or new grafts that are susceptible to infection and may be killed by infestation. The best way to keep your garden disease free is to avoid fungi. Here are some ideas for doing this. The following content also has some reference value for raised garden beds.

Use raised garden beds

The garden beds have two advantages compared with underground planting. They have better drainage, so they won't hold too much water for a long time, which can easily lead to fungus growth. They are also high above the ground, so they usually get better air circulation, thus inhibiting the start of fungal spores. Of course, gardeners know that these are just two of the many advantages of planting on raised garden beds.

Watering correctly

It is preferable to water near the ground through immersion or drip hoses than broadcast water (sprinklers), and in most cases, better than flooding. Watering in the morning instead of in the evening can let water soak, the topsoil becomes dry, leaving enough water in the subsoil to maintain the plants, but keeping the air around the plants less humid, so it is unlikely to hide fungi.

Few plants need to be watered directly on their leaves. In fact, almost all plants will be worse when using this method. Broadcast watering wastes water into the atmosphere. When the sun suddenly dries the water of leaves, it will cause the leaves to burn, and it is usually much less efficient than watering on the ground.

Use compost

Composting has many benefits for the garden, not just adding nutrients to the soil, which is the best. Composting can also add organic matter to the soil to promote better drainage, so that water does not accumulate and promote fungal growth.

Choose the right variety

Most common garden plants have disease resistant varieties, while those more susceptible to fungal infection usually have antifungal strains. For example, many strains of basil and rose have special antifungal properties. The best way to prevent any disease is to use the right variety according to your climate, conditions and needs.

cover

Keeping mulch over the soil is good for the soil and the plants above it. Keeping the soil and plant bottom covered will keep the area dry. It helps to resist the formation of mud during rain and watering, and forces fungi to seek higher development, hindering their progress. The mulch can also keep the soil around the plant base warm and cool during the day and night, which helps regulate the temperature.

Use of organic fungicides

Many organic fungicides can be used to kill or prevent fungal infections. You can do some sprinkling with baking soda and water on the leaves and stems, or use an organic garden soap mixture.

Protect migration

Transplantation is particularly vulnerable to fungi and other diseases and should therefore be protected. Before planting, remove the infected soil and thoroughly clean the bed to avoid damping. It is also recommended to ventilate the soil between the plants in the greenhouse to prevent fungi from taking root.

In addition, grafts should be kept dry above the roots, so it is best to water the ground and only wet (not submerge) the soil.