Immunize plants against environmental stress and pest problems with a plant strengthener such as JAZ spray. This new group of products strengthens plants’ own stress tolerance mechanism, so they are better able to deal with adverse conditions. Scientists found when plants were stressed or attacked by insects and disease they produced certain natural molecules. They isolated these and applied them to other plants and found the treated plants were better able to tolerate environmental stress as well as insect and disease attacks. By using a plant strengthener gardeners are proactively boosting a plant’s immune system before environmental stresses hit and ultimately helping it to thrive as it faces serious challenges throughout the season.

Rotate plantings whenever possible. Varying annual flower and vegetable planting designs from year to year helps reduce the build-up of pests. And be sure to start with fresh soil and clean containers each season to avoid problems. This is especially important if problems occurred last season.

Mulch the soil with shredded leaves, evergreen needles or other organic matter to reduce disease problems and environmental stresses on plants.  Mulching reduces the spread of soil borne diseases, conserves moisture and moderates soil temperatures. 

Monitor plants for insect and disease problems throughout the season. It is easier to control a small population of insects or pluck a few diseased leaves than trying to kill thousands of aphids.

Use barriers of floating row covers like ReeMay or Harvest Guard to protect plants from insects like cabbage worms, root maggots, and bean beetles.  Loosely cover the plants with these fabrics and securely anchor the edges to the ground.   The fabrics let air, light and water through, but prevent the insects from reaching the plants.  These fabrics must be removed when plants requiring pollination begin to bloom.

Use eco-friendly products like insecticidal soap, light weight horticulture oils and Neem when problems arise.  Be sure to read and follow label directions carefully.

And always clean up the garden at the end of the season.  Remove disease and insect-infested plants to reduce the risk of problems the following season. A bit of prevention goes a long way in creating a beautiful garden that can be enjoyed all season long.

Taking these simple steps will help build healthy plants with stronger immune systems and a natural tolerance to the environmental stresses they will face throughout the season.

Bio: Nationally known gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Can’t Miss Small Space Gardening. She hosts the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment segments which air on nearly 100 TV and radio stations throughout the U.S. and Canada. She is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and writes the twice monthly “Gardeners’ Questions” newspaper column. Melinda also has a column in Gardening How-to magazine.