How to Fight Pests and Diseases without Chemicals

Protecting your garden from diseases and pests starts before you plant.

In gardening, the best defense against pests and diseases is having a great offense, and it all starts with building a good environment from the ground up. That means great soil, strong plants, lots of sun, just the right amount of water, plenty of the right food, and—every now and again—a few simple plant-protection moves.

Some growers have no problem reaching for the pesticide or fungicide at the first sign of bugs or disease, but we understand that others want to give natural pest control methods a try first. Unfortunately, some problems persist and can only be handled by a good fungicide or insecticide. Before you resort to those pesticides, though, here are our tips and suggestions for keeping diseases and pests out of your garden.

Start with Great Soil

Healthy, nutrient-rich soil makes for stronger plants that can take a powerful stand against both pests and diseases. Start with well-draining soil rich with organic matter and loads of nutrients for your plants. If you're planting in the ground, blend compost-enriched Miracle-Gro Organic™ Raised Bed & Garden Soil in with your native soil. You can also use this soil in your raised beds. Container gardens need a lighter, fluffier soil mix, so fill them with Miracle-Gro Organic™ Outdoor Potting Mix—it contains nutrient-rich compost, too.

Plan Your Planting

Before you start planting, consider how and what you plant can help deter pests and prevent diseases:

Give plants enough elbow room so they have good air circulation. Good air flow helps prevent many plant diseases.
Make sure your planting spot gets enough light since damp, dark areas act as welcome mat for gnats, slugs, and fungus.
Choose plant combos that are good companions and naturally protective neighbors (read our Companion Plants article for more details).
Rotate crops—or plant members of the same plant family in different spots every season—to keep pests guessing and lessen the chances that disease will take hold.

Water Wisely

Once your garden is planted, hold off on watering until the top inch of soil is dry, then water thoroughly, aiming at the base of the plant, not the leaves. Giving your garden too much moisture too often is like sending an invitation out to whatever diseases are lurking in the area. Also, adjust your watering schedule with local rainfall and humidity as needed. Humid conditions also attract many diseases, including powdery mildew, leaf spot, and blight.

Feed Your Plants

You'll also want to make sure your plants get all the nutrients they need by feeding them. Strong, well-fed plants are better able to resist diseases and pests. A month after planting, sprinkle Miracle-Gro Organic™ All Purpose Plant Food around your plants to provide nutrition they need for up to 3 months. If you prefer a liquid plant food, apply Miracle-Gro Organic™ Plant Food every 7-14 days for healthier, more resilient plants (vs unfed, when used as directed). When using any plant food, be sure to follow all the directions on the label.

Check Your Garden Daily for Disease and Pests

Another key to protecting your garden from pests and diseases is to be vigilant. Walk your garden every day and look at each plant. If you see signs of damage or disease, clip off the affected part and put it in the garbage, not the compost, then clean your clippers and hands thoroughly to keep from spreading any disease. Also, since decaying plant matter attracts bacteria and fungi, pick up any fallen branches, leaves, or fruit as soon as you see it.

If you see signs of an unwelcome pest guest, you'll want to take action fast. Are leaves disappearing from your tomato plant? Inspect stems and undersides of leaves nearby for a fat, neon-green hornworm. Grab a pair of gloves and do the pest “plunk-and-dunk," throwing it in a bucket of soapy water. Do you see holes in your cabbage leaves? Look for tiny caterpillars on the undersides of the leaves and consign them to the same wet, soapy fate. Scores of tiny aphids crawling around your squash plants? Hit them with a blast of water from the hose or spray them with insecticidal soap.

Remember that not every bug is an enemy. If you see helpful lady bugs, praying mantises, or assassin bugs—or other helpful critters, like lizards, toads, or birds—give them a mental high five and hope they stick around. They are your natural defense against bad bugs, helping you fight pests without chemicals.

Cover Your Plants

If you've had problems with bugs in the past, you may just want to go ahead and cover your plants with row covers. Made of lightweight, breathable fabric, these handy covers let air, water, and light through while keeping insects away from your plant babies. They work especially well for veggie plants that don't need pollination (leaf or root crops, for instance), but can also be used for fruit-bearing plants as long as you lift the covers during bloom time.

Follow these tips as you grow your vegetable garden (or ornamental garden, for that matter) and you'll be taking a strong position in the battle against pests and diseases. Our guess is you'll fall in love with the results—naturally!