Garden Medley

No matter your determination to keep things organic in your garden, the time may come when you have to look at buying a fungicide. Even the healthiest of plants will sometimes succumb to a fungus, and you need to control it quickly.

The first thing you need to do is remain aware of the general condition of plants in your garden. If you do this, you can notice and remove problems before they become widespread. This will often keep you from needing to use a fungicide.

Keep an eye out for symptoms such as black or white spots on the leaves, holes in the leaves or damage to stems. These are signs that there might be a problem. If it’s not a problem you’re familiar with, remove some of the damaged leaves and take them to a local nursery for help. Tell them you prefer organic methods whenever possible.

Sometimes, unfortunately, you have no choice but to use that fungicide or lose a lot of plants to it. This happens when the infection is just too widespread to be contained any other ways. Some fungi also spread very easily, even by the movement of the plant in wind, and these can be harder to control organically.

You will want to know if the fungicide you are choosing dissipates over time or if it is systemic. If you are spraying foods intended to be eaten, avoid systemics. They cure the plant from within, and so would remain in any food grown for some time.

Here are some of the most popular fungicides:

Chlorothalonil (Daconil) – Chlorothalonil is a multipurpose fungicide with is used to prevent and treat common fungal diseases which affect lawns, fruits, vegetables as well as many ornamental and flowering plants.

Chlorothalonil is not a systemic; the only one that is not a systemic on this list.

Theiophanate-methyl – Thelophanate-methyl is a systemic fungicide that is effective in treating many common plant diseases, including powdery mildew and black spot.
Triadimefon (Bayleton) – Triadiemefon is a systemic fungicide which is usually used to prevent and treat powdery mildew and rust. It is also effective against some lawn diseases.
Triforine (Funginex) – Triforine is a systemic fungicide used to treat and prevent common fungal diseases such as rust, black spot and powdery mildew. It has also proven effective against some other diseases of both flowering and non-flowering plants.

Of course, any time you use any chemical, follow package instructions carefully, wear gloves, breathing mask and any other necessary protective equipment, and use as little as possible while keeping it effective. You don’t want to have to do it over because you didn’t use enough, but you also don’t want to use an excessive amount, which can harm your plants.

No organic gardener is happy when it becomes necessary to use a chemical, but sometimes there is very little choice. Keep alert to the health of your garden so that you can avoid going to such measures.

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