Taking care of plants is not just merely water and sunlight, sometimes, no matter how hard we tend to them, we still won’t be able to get rid of garden bugs. Depending on the type of plant, moist and unhealthy soil are the greatest contributor. And though pest control is a hard task for garden owners, all pest problems can still be easily destroyed and better yet, be prevented!
Starting with clean soil scares off garden pests, soils are the foundation of plants, they provide the support, nutrients, organic matter, water, and air to the plant’s roots for them to survive. Adding organic matter to the garden soil is proven to be effective. According to research and long-term gardeners, few best practices of keeping a garden soil healthy are learning how to till the soil, adding compost, rotate crops, and knowing how to place the plants to allow proper sunlight, water drainage, and help air to enter the soil.
Improper watering can make plants yellow and grow fungus. Making a personalized watering schedule helps you remember which plants need to get watered. According to the National Gardeners Association, the best time to water your plants are in the morning as it helps with photosynthesis, watering it at night is discouraged as the temperature is cooler and causes the leaves to be damp. As a general green thumb rule, if you stick your finger two inches into the soil and finds it dry, then it needs to be watered. However, if the plant is still moist, you can leave it for a day or so. If you’re just starting and already have multiple plants, it is best to track your watering schedule on your journal. This way, you won’t leave your plants to dry out.
It is encouraged to monitor your garden on a daily, don’t be complacent about having just healthy soil, watch out for bugs under the leaves. Having deformed, discolored, folded, or chewed leaves are some indications that your plants are infected with pests. Once you see a discolored or infected leaf, make it a habit to pluck or cut them off immediately to prevent contamination of the entire plant. Always keep your garden clean, decaying plants are a breeding ground for garden bugs.
Although pests are a big nuisance to gardeners, not all insects are harmful to your plants, in fact, some of them help to prevent garden pests such as ladybugs. They eat mites and the larvae eggs of most insects. Taking care of plants is a great way to boost your mood, increase your productivity and creativity, also it is a proven way to reduce stress and breathe cleaner air; Allowing you to be healthier and happier!