How to Treat Plant Diseases Organically

Despite your best efforts, the majority of plants and trees will fall victim to some type of plant disease. Before you resort to drastic measures or harsh chemicals, try following these steps to treat the plant disease organically.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spray bottle
• Baking soda, cornmeal, diluted vinegar or garlic tea

1. Check your plants for leaves that show signs of disease. Pick off an infected leaf.

2. Find out what disease is infecting the leaf by looking through plant books, the Internet or checking with a local retail nursery.

3. See if there are any specific guidelines for treating the disease organically.

4. Pluck the leaves from the plant that appear to be infected with a disease if the damage is limited to a small area.

5. Spray the plant with an organic or all-natural solution if the damage is widespread. Suggestions include baking soda, cornmeal, diluted vinegar or garlic tea.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the Internet or consult with a local retail nursery for help in finding and purchasing organic or all-natural solutions to spray on your plants.
• Plant diseases can usually be prevented through soil improvement, avoiding high-nitrogen fertilizers and watering properly.
• Avoid watering at night and installing plants too close together as this encourages diseases to spread.

Resources

• Receive professional landscape and gardening advice at Glover Gardens