{"id":30186,"date":"2026-07-01T10:12:40","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T17:12:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/jefferson\/?page_id=30186"},"modified":"2026-07-01T10:12:40","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T17:12:40","slug":"tip-sheet-9-pest-disease-control","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/jefferson\/mg-home\/tip-sheet-9-pest-disease-control\/","title":{"rendered":"Tip Sheet #9: Pest & Disease Control"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In our Master Gardener ‘Ask a Master Gardener<\/a>‘ clinics we are often asked about controlling pests in home gardens without the use of pesticides. This Tip Sheet lists several cultural practices that can reduce pest populations to acceptable levels and recommends several WSU resources which go into more depth on cultural, chemical and biological controls by specific pest, disease and plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pest and Disease Resistance\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Keep the guidance of \u201cright plant, right place\u201d in mind; a plant growing in the wrong conditions will be more susceptible to both pests and diseases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t over-fertilize; that won\u2019t help the plant and may cause an excessive amount of tender new growth that attracts aphids and other pests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look for plant varieties that are known to do well in the PNW and especially the Olympic Peninsula and may be resistant to some pests and diseases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For annual vegetables, remember that we have a long but cool growing season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watering practices are important- timing, amounts and methods. Drip irrigation and other methods that keep foliage dry can be beneficial especially for minimizing fungal diseases.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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More Information<\/h2>\n\n\n