Plant Health Tips From The American Phytopathological Society

1. Select healthy plant material. Annual flowers and vegetable seedlings should be vigorous, show good color and have no dead or yellowed areas. Avoid cell packs with missing or sickly plants. Trees and shrubs should show good color and foliage size. Avoid specimens that have mechanical damage to the trunk or larger limbs. If purchasing container-grown material, be sure to check to see if the roots are pot-bound (if so, they need to be cut prior to planting). Bulbs, tubers and corms should be firm and have no mechanical damage or mold.

2. Look for plant varieties with built-in disease resistance. Often, the plant label indicates this. Or check with a knowledgeable source such as a county extension office or a recent garden reference book.

3. Put plants where they will thrive. Know the soil type, soil drainage and the area’s exposure to sun and wind. Then choose plants that can survive in these conditions.

4. Water plants early in the day. Water infrequently but deeply, and if possible, only at the base of the plant. Water on foliage for extended periods of time encourages plant diseases.

5. Provide for good air circulation in the garden and landscape. Allow adequate space when planting, remove spent flowers promptly, stake plants and prune as necessary.

6. Avoid excessive fertilization. Overall, it reduces plant health, often producing lavish growth more susceptible to disease.

7. Mulch the soil. This will conserve moisture, reducing the time needed for weeding and watering.

8. Keep the garden and landscape areas clean. Remove diseased plant parts or entire plants to minimize disease spread.

9. Clean tools after use. Soil can harbor plant pathogens.

10. Apply fungicides, if necessary, but do it correctly and at the right time. Most fungicides are preventative and must be applied in anticipation of disease or to keep non-infected plant parts healthy. They are temporary protection and must be reapplied according to label directions. Do not wait too long. Fungicides are generally ineffective on plants that already are declining due to poor site conditions and improper care.

11. Rotate plants. Annual flowers and vegetables should be planted in a different spot every year or so. This prevents the build-up of diseases over time.

The American Phytopathological Society (APS) is a professional organization dedicated to the study and control of plant disease with 5,000 members worldwide.