High winds will bring a host of different things into your garden and onto your plants. Sudden changes in temperature, frost, and over watering your plants will damage your plants. Also, bugs and insects will always get into your garden and do lots of damage. Organic farming means that you will frequently treat your garden with various home-made mixtures, and some organic commercial mixtures are also available.
The article below is taken from Organic Growers School website, and gives many tips, suggestions and some mixtures for caring your garden with home-made mixtures and mentions some commercial organic products that you may want to try.
[su_quote]
Looking at the spectrum of potentialpathogens, or disease organisms, it’s helpful to divide them into three groups:
- Fungi – grow on or through plants via thread-like mycelium. Fungi require either living plant hosts or decaying organic matter to survive. Fungal pathogens are the greatest challenge in our region.
- Bacteria – Single-cell organisms that need a living host to survive. Bacteria reproduce readily when they have warm, moist environments and a host plant to feed on.
- Viruses – Sub-microscopic organisms that invade the host plant’s cells and then multiply. Viruses spread via infected pest insects, known as vectors.
First, let’s explore some good, preventative measures that you should always try to take. Every season, re-visit this list and try to improve.
- Strive for healthy soil with lots of organic matter, which will provide good even moisture and good drainage, as well as plenty of nutrients that plants need to stay healthy. Visit our post on feeding the soil for more info on how to achieve dreamy garden soils. Note: soil building will be a goal that lasts throughout your garden career. It takes years, and should be considered an investment.
- Maintain good airflow between plants, by ensuring adequate spacing, minimal weeds, and varied architecture (i.e have tall and short plants together). Pathogens love stagnant, hot air. The better the air circulation, the better your chance of avoiding infection.
- Water enough but not too much. Most pathogens thrive in moist to wet environments, especially as the weather heats up. Make sure you water enough to meet the requirements of your crop plants, but be especially careful about stagnant water in the garden, and plants that sit at the bottom of the garden that might collect runoff after heavy rains. Going back to #1, the healthier the soil, the better drained it will be, which will aid in your attempts at optimum water balance.
[/su_quote]
To read this article in full, head over to Organic Growers School