Are you cursing at those pesky bugs and disease that continue to affect your harvest? You’re certainly not alone! Whether you grow in soil or hydroponically, pests and disease can be a limiting factor that cannot be ignored. There are a few simple steps to take in order to prevent infestation and infection:

1) Maintain a sanitary growing environment-even though cleaning is work and not fun, it is a necessary step conducive to growing healthy plants and yielding bountiful harvests

2) Choose disease- and pest- resistant plant varieties-there are a number of plants that naturally resist these enemies so do your research prior to choosing your plants

3) Properly ventilate and keep your growing area the proper temperature for your specific variety of plant-different varieties thrive under different conditions so be educated when setting up your grow area

4) Monitor your plants and growing area-at the first signs of pests or disease, treat and you will be more likely to stave off further intrusions.

There are many options, today, for treating these pests and diseases. A simple removal of obvious pests and a foliar spray, with a product like Serenade or Azamax, can greatly reduce, if not eliminate your problems. Serenade is an OMRI certified, broad spectrum, preventative biofungicide recommended for the control or suppression of many plant diseases. We’ve had many customers use this successfully to treat powdery mildew. Azamax, is derived from the neem seed, and is also OMRI certified. It is a botanical insecticide, miticide and nematicide which acts as an antifeedant, repellant and insect growth regulator that is not harmful to beneficial bugs.

The use of beneficial bugs is another effective means of eradicating pests without the use of harmful chemicals. We order our bugs through a company called Nature’s Control, located in Oregon. They provide lady bugs, praying mantis eggs, spider mite predators, housefly parasites, pirate bugs, predator nematodes and many other beneficial insects.

Whether you garden indoors or out, in soil or not, these are valid ways of reducing your pest and disease problems.

We carry Ed Rosenthal’s herbal fungicide that is safe for edible plants!  This potent blend of essential oils prevents and kills powdery mildew, gray and white mold, black spot and most other molds and fungus.  This biodegradable and environmentally safe mix contains Rosemary oil, Thyme oil, Clove Leaf oil, Wintergreen oil and potassium bicarbonate.  It is family and pet friendly, made out of pure food grade ingredients, 100% vegan

Ed Rosenthal's Zero Tolerance

and can be used up to 5 days before harvest.  We sell 1 quart, ready to use bottles for only $20.00!!