Indianapolis, IN Florist

Getting Rid of Pests and Plant Disease

Plant Health, Care and Protection

Whichever type of garden you're growing, your plants are bound to bring in harmful pests at some point. It's not your fault! Thatjust part of plant life. But if you don't get ahead of it, your beloved plants may catch a disease or two.

Don't panic! Decades of study from experts moved us away from taking risks with pest control.

Today, we've developed plenty of treatments for pest problems and plant disease. You may spot shelves upon shelves of pesticides and bug sprays when you go to supermarkets.

But recently, there's been a trend of "going green". This means going for more eco-friendly ways to protect plants from pests and diseases. These all-natural methods have become very popular in both gardening and floristry. And for good reason, too! They keep plants much healthier than chemical or artificial solutions do. They're even easier on the pocket!

In this blog post, we discuss three important factors of plant health, care, and protection. We'll pay attention to reliable organic remedies for your garden.

First, we look at a few simple pointers for keeping your garden healthy and well-nourished. This will help you keep it full of life from the moment you plant them until you collect their produce.

Next, we talk about the best pesticides to guard your plants from bugs and insects. We also show you proven fixes for pesky weeds.

Finally, we discover which flowers and plants can repel pests. This is another natural way to eliminate pests that won't hurt your garden!

Interested in a formal course? Want to get certified as a gardening expert? We encourage you to check out organizations offering classes in floristry, like:

American Institute of Floral Designers (www.aifd.org).

National Gardening Organization (www.garden.org).

American Floral Endowment (www.endowment.org).

American Horticultural Society (www.ahsgardening.org).

Raising a Healthy Garden

Take it from the experts. You're going to want to be sure your plants are healthy and well-nourished throughout their growth. This way, you make sure they blossom into gorgeous flowers, fragrant herbs, or fresh vegetables!

Here are a few helpful tips for raising a healthy garden. You'll thank us later!

Before you buy your plants, examine them for rotten roots. Check for bug-infested leaves or stems too.

Make sure to use only fully-composted waste and mulch to avoid disease and infection.

Do your research on which fertilizer best suits your garden and stick to it.

Keep alert watch of bugs in your garden to avoid unwanted infestation.

In the autumn season, be sure leaves don't pile up too much. With this, you won't get an unequal balance of green and brown materials for your mulch.

Water your plants with the correct amount and time intervals.

Late winter is the ideal time to prune sickly limbs back to healthy, living tissue. Be sure to do this to reduce further infection or get other diseases.

Whatever you do - Prevent. Overcrowding.

Organic Pest Control and Herbicides

It's tempting to reach for chemical treatments when you run into pest problems. After all, they're quick and easy solutions, right?

But remember: the more chemical treatments you give your garden, the less nutrients your plants receive from the soil! Plus, it makes plants all the more prone to disease and infection.

The basic principle is to keep your garden as diverse as possible. Keep different types of annuals, perennials, bulbs, shrubs and trees all nestled in the soil. Plant them in smaller groups through the garden. Put in a healthy mixture of aged compost and brown and green mulch. This will help keep pests from preying on a whole lot of plants.

But there are many other organic ways to protect your cherished garden! Here is some expert advice on keeping weeds, diseases, insects, and bugs away.

Weeds

Stop these pesky things from ever growing in your yard! Top-dress your new planted plot two to three inches deep with corn gluten. Then, water it all throughout.

If weeds have already shot up in the soil, drench them in a mix of vinegar and a few drops of liquid soap. Make sure to keep neighboring plants and flowers safe from the acidic spray. You can do this by covering them in newspapers.

Diseases

Protect your bed of roses from powdery mildew or "black spot" with a special tonic. This is a blend of 2 tablespoons of baking soda, half a tablespoon of liquid soap in about 2 liters of water.

A fact unfamiliar to most people, chamomile tea is an all-inclusive cure for fungal diseases. Infuse 16 tea bags or about 2 cups of dried flowers in hot water. Use the cooled down product to water your diseased plants.

Want an easier, less taxing solution? Dissolve 2 aspirin tablets in 1 quart of water. Spray the mixture on plants with black spot, mildew, rust, and other fungal infections.

Insects

Spraying small insects like aphids and mites with water will get them off your plants. For more stubborn bugs, remove them with adhesive tape.

Brew a handful of basil leaves and fragrant herbs (e.g. lavender, rosemary, sage, mint, etc.). Use them to do away with creepy crawlers.

For slugs and snails, build a barrier of thin copper wires around your plants. This will give those pests a mild yet frightening shock. For best results, you can also set up a shallow perimeter of pine needles, coffee grounds, cracked eggshells. This will result in a rough boundary that will throw them off the path.

Pest-Repellent Flowers and Plants

So far we've learned more on natural pest control solutions! Now let's take a look at the following list of plants and flowers confirmed to have organic resistance to pests and diseases.

Growing a garden of gorgeous blooms or delicious herbs is no easy task! But sweet-smelling plants often attract bugs and other insects. These will drain them of their nutrients and worse, stunt their growth.

Luckily, there are helpful little beauties of nature that organically repel pests! They save you the time and expense of artificial pest control solutions. Even better, they keep a wonderful sense of balance and diversity in your garden! This guarantees your garden stays safe from nasty diseases and bug infestations.

Here is a list of pest-repellent plants and flowers! Many of these are also great for gardening rookies. They're easy to take care of and maintain!

• Marigolds

• Chrysanthemums

• Dahlias

• Sunflowers

• Petunias

• Borage

• Lavender

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