This article will save you a lot of time and lost veggies if you take the information to heart. You are about to get some of what I know of my Dad’s vast gardening knowledge regarding natural ways to prevent garden diseases and things I have learned since starting my own organic garden.

My First Garden Failed!

Several years ago when I still lived in town, I attempted to have my first small organic garden in the backyard. Being from a farming community, I knew about the man-made chemicals that were used on most commercial crops and wanted to grow a garden that was chemical-free. A noble effort, since these chemicals pollute our soil and groundwater, not to mention how much we might be ingesting.

It was a disaster – an utter failure.

The soil was not very nutrient rich, I over-watered it, and fungus and disease set in. I literally had no yield from my little garden. It was disappointing and I felt like I didn’t have my Dad’s magic touch. How in the world did he make it look so easy?

The truth is, he had knowledge – the man knew what he was doing from decades of experience. It was like he could read the plants and then knew exactly what was needed. I often wonder what his yields would have been like if he was full-on organic. He was a bit of a mix between natural and chemical solutions to garden issues – sometimes chemicals depending on the type of disease/pest, but used organic fertilizer. None of what he grew could actually be considered organic, due to the occasional use of chemicals.

The food I produce in my own garden is organic. I do not use man-made chemicals, and we produce our own compost for fertilizer. But here’s the thing – how do you handle potential garden issues without using harsh chemicals? I’m here to help you learn how to do just that.

Here we go!

Natural Ways to Prevent Garden Diseases

The absolute best way to control disease in any garden, organic or not, is to take steps to prevent these from happening in the first place. Here are the 10 best pieces of advice I can give regarding natural ways to prevent garden diseases.

Till your soil every year in the spring before planting.

Be sure to till the soil when it is at the proper condition – you do not want to till soil that has too much water in it. What will happen is you will actually compact the soil (mud!), which is the very thing you are trying to prevent. If you pick up some soil and squeeze it in your hand, it should easily fall apart or crumble when dropped to the ground. If you can squeeze water out of it or it splats on the ground, you need to wait.

Use a tiller or shovel, but always turn the soil and break up any clods. This is excellent for giving your seeds and plants a loose, aerated soil in which to grow deep roots. Tilling also prevents compacted, dense soil that will not drain well and will not properly absorb moisture for the roots of your plants. Compacted soil keeps young plants from developing a good root system. The more stress you put on the plants from improper conditions, the more likely it is that they may be the host to an infection or plant disease.

Avoid over-watering.

Soggy, wet soil will provide the perfect conditions for developing root diseases. One of the most common root diseases is root rot. This disease is caused by over-watering, but can also be caused by poorly draining soil. Some signs of root rot are yellowing leaves and stunted growth.

Fertilize your garden.

This is one of the ways you keep healthy soil for your garden plants and maintain a nutrient balance. You can learn how to make your own compost to fertilize your garden for free here. The other way is…

Practice crop rotation.

Rotating your crops helps with soil nutrient balance, but can also reduce possible exposure to soil borne diseases and plant pests. If you plant the same thing year after year in the same spot, the soil will be depleted of nutrients and diseases and pests will potentially be a nuisance. Vegetables like potatoes, onions and tomatoes are particularly sensitive to being planted in the same spot over and over. Learn how to practice simple crop rotation.

Inspect plants for disease and pests before bringing them home and adding them to your garden.

Inspect especially well if you did not grow the plant from seed yourself. If it looks at all sickly, pass on putting it in your garden. Some signs of disease might be spots on leaves, yellow leaves and wilting. Be sure to check under the leaves and along the stem for pests.

Remove diseased or infested plants immediately.

Dispose of them either by burning or making a pile away from your garden and compost pile. Do not add these to your compost! Healthy garden soil is extremely important and compost is your black gold for keeping it that way.

Plant/thin down your seeds and seedlings at the recommended distance for that vegetable.

Overcrowding leads to improper air circulation for the plants and invites fungal diseases into a stagnant environment.

Use mulch in your garden.

Mulching will help keep weeds down and prevent fungus that might be present in the soil from getting on the leaves & stems of your plants. It will also help you to retain moisture in the soil and as a result, you won’t have to water as often!

Water in the morning.

This is the best time to water if you are concerned about fungus that needs damp, cool environments to thrive. You have to gauge your situation. Where I live in Iowa, I water in the evening and am careful not to get it on the foliage.

Allow the soil to warm sufficiently.

If you plant too early in the spring when the soil is still really cool, it will stress your plants and seeds will also take longer to germinate. Stressed plants are more susceptible to fungus and disease. I know you are excited to get the garden in, but try to contain yourself!

Take Care of Your Garden Ecosystem

The plants and insects in your garden create their own ecosystem. It is your job to keep it a healthy one. Not all insects, birds or animals are bad for your garden, but diseases need to be well-controlled. By following the practices above, your garden will be healthier and your harvest will be plenty.

If you are interested in natural ways to control garden pests, you can read about that here.

Do you have a natural way to prevent garden disease that is not mentioned here? Please let me know below!