When we first start out to garden we are dismayed when our carefully tended plants suddenly look sick. But gradually we learn that, plant, like humans are subject to illness.

SGA are big fans of non-chemical disease control and prevention, such as monitoring your garden for early outbreaks, ensuring good air circulation between plants and alternative home remedies such as garlic sprays. If you choose to use a chemical, select one of the 6 Star-rated products from the SGA’s WiseGardening – Choices to Protect You and the Planet – your garden, and the planet will thank you for it.

If you do use any chemical product, please read the label VERY carefully.  And to understand what the chemical terms on labels, it’s worth looking here. 

More information about diseases and disease control is found on links below:

Low Impact Pest Management 101 Video

Sustainable Gardening 101 Video Series PART 3: Low Impact Pest Management Gardens are the natural habitat for all types of insects – the good, the…

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Myrtle Rust is a Spreading Problem

Myrtle rust is a spreading problem in Australia.  It is a fungus, Puccinia psidii, which affects plants in the family Myrtaceae. While there are…

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Early Blight of Tomatoes

Hi, my name is: Early Blight of Tomatoes Describe yourself: I'm a saucy little fungal disease with a real thing for the leaves of tomato plants!…

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Pea Blight

Bacterial disease such as pea blight can be tricky to diagnose since bacteria aren't visible to the human eye; in fact they can only be seen under…

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Winter Washing of Fruit Trees

Although it may look like there is not much happening with your fruit trees over winter, the microscopic world of fungi is making plans,…

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Virus or Variegation

A common error gardeners make is to assume that appearance of coloured areas on leaves is caused by natural variegation, fungal infection or nutrient…

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Black Spot of Rose

Hi, my name is: Black Spot of Rose Describe yourself: Umm, my name pretty much says it all. I'm a black spot, kinda round with fringed margins and…

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Peach Leaf Curl

Peach leaf curl is a virulent and resistant fungal disease that appears on the leaves of fruit trees in early spring. As the fungus Taphrina…

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Powdery Mildew

A warm summer evening, a little bit of moisture, a shady spot in the garden – sounds like a recipe for powdery mildew!  Powdery Mildew is a warm…

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Blossom End Rot

Hi, my name is: Blossom End Rot Describe yourself: Firstly, let me just say that I am not a disease, a fungus, a virus or any of that! I am a…

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