
Pest and Disease Resistance
Chemical-Free Control Methods
Crop Rotation is one of the oldest and most effective methods of pest control. Crop rotation by plant family is used to reduce damage from some insect pests, such as nematodes, mites, and maggots; to limit the development of some diseases, such as Verticillium wilt and Phytophthora root rot; and to manage soil fertility. WSU recommends a 5- to 7-year crop rotation by plant family if possible. A 3-year rotation is considered minimum. Plant families include brassicas (e.g., cabbage, kale, turnips), nightshades (e.g., tomatoes, peppers, potatoes), alliums (e.g., onions, garlic, leeks), cucurbits (e.g., squash, cucumbers, melons), and legumes (e.g., peas, beans). More information can be found on pages 20-21 of WSU publication EM057E, “Home Vegetable Gardening in Washington”, available free at pubs.extension.wsu.edu. Some of the pests and diseases that crop rotation can deter are described in vegetable-specific WSU publications. These are listed in our “Gardening Publications” Tip Sheet.
Hand Removal is a labor-intensive but effective way to control insects large enough to be seen. Cabbage worms can often be spotted and many caterpillars are easy to grab. You will need to be able to identify which caterpillars are truly harmful to plants. All caterpillars eat plant material, but some eat only a little. Make certain that what you are destroying is a pest. Cutworms and slugs can be captured at night if you patrol your garden with a flashlight. Hand removal will cause you to look at plants closely and will soon make you familiar with all the insects in your garden, bad ones and good ones. Aphids can often be dislodged with a strong spray of water.
Trapping works as well. Lay a board or an overturned cantaloupe skin in the garden and check it each morning and evening for slugs. A bucket of sudsy water will drown trapped or hand-picked pests.
Sanitation is an important pest control technique. Eliminate weeds in and near your garden. Get rid of “volunteers,” those tomato, squash and other seedlings that come up from last year’s planting. Clean up and compost crop residues as soon as the crop is harvested. Many plant diseases and some insect pests overwinter on dead plant material that wasn’t removed. Don’t compost diseased materials as many home compost bins or piles don’t get hot enough to reliably kill disease organisms or weed seeds. Don’t leave old pots in the garden to serve as hiding places for unwanted guests.
Beneficial Insects such as ladybugs, ground beetles, lacewings and others can reduce pest populations. Encourage beneficials by limiting or eliminating pesticide use, providing native habitat, planting bee-friendly flowers, and reducing lawn size. More information is available in WSU publication EM067E, “Beneficial Insects, Spiders, and Other Mini-Creatures in Your Garden,” available free at pubs.extension.wsu.edu
Cultural, Chemical and Biological Controls by Pest, Disease and Crop
- WSU Extension Hortsense and Pestsense: Advice on plant disease and pest problems. Includes information on weeds and Washington-registered pesticides.
- Pacific Northwest plant disease, insect and weed management handbooks online. Sponsored by WSU, Oregon State U. and U. of Idaho
Feature image by Ulrike Leone.
CLH 12/20/19
WSU Extension Master Gardener Program * 206-543-0943 * king.MG@wsu.edu * kingcountyMG.org Center for Urban Horticulture * Box 354115 * Seattle WA 98195-4115 Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.
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