57 Ways - 3. Prevent Insect, Disease, and Weed Problems in the Garden

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57 Ways To Protect Your Home Environment (and Yourself)

Caring for the Home Landscape

1. Aim for a healthy lawn rather than a perfect lawn
2. Cut the grass without gas
3. Prevent insect, disease, and weed problems in the garden
4. Identify fruits and vegetables that need fewer pesticides
5. Select native trees and shrubs that will thrive in your yard
6. Keep your tress healthy and safe
7. Plant “wild” in your backyard
8. Attract birds and butterflies to your backyard

Using Alternatives to Traditional Pesticides & Fertilizers - Where Practical

9. Scout for pests on the landscape
10. Consider microbial insecticides
11. Consider botanical insecticides & insecticidal soaps
12. Conserve beneficial insects
13. Monitor & control insects with traps
14. Use pest barriers in your garden
15. Solarize soil
16. Consider the potential of natural fertilizers

Using Chemicals on the Landscape - If Necessary

17. Know what to ask a lawn-care company and arborist
18. Understand pesticide toxicity
19. Read the pesticide label
20. Apply pesticides accurately and safely
21. Apply fertilizers accurately and safely

Storing & Disposing of Hazardous Chemicals

22. Store hazardous chemicals safely
23. Dispose of pesticides safely
24. Dispose of auto products safely
25. Dispose of paints and solvents safely
26. Dispose of adhesives, areosols, household cleaners & other hazardous waste safely

Managing Yard, Food & Other Household Waste

27. Reduce household waste
28. Recycle paper, glass, & aluminum
29. Reuse and respond
30. Recycle grass clippings
31. Create a compost pile
32. Use yard waste as mulch
33. Dispose of tree residues

Protecting Your Drinking Water

34. Know when & how to test your water
35. Test your water for coliform bacteria & nitrate 36. Test your water for pesticides - if necessary
37. Know the signs of contaminants in drinking water
38. Select effective water-treatment methods
39. Prevent contamination from septic systems
40. Know the pros & cons of bottled water

Protecting the Indoor Environment

41. Prevent contamination by lead
42. Test your home for radon
43. Reduce radon levels
44. Control dust, dust mites & other allergens
45. Reduce pollution from combustion equipment
46. Prevent contamination by formaldehyde and asbestos
47. Recognize tht it's not always necessary to control indoor insects
48. Select the right household pesticide
49. Control household pests with less toxic alternatives
50. Select household cleaners wisely

Conserving Energy & Water

51. Design new homes for energy effciency
52. Save energy in heating & cooling
53. Insulate & seal your home
54. Choose energy-efficient appliances
55. Save money & energy with compact fluorescent light bulbs
56. Use plants & other landscape tools to conserve energy
57. Conserve water in & around the home

3. Prevent Insect, Disease, and Weed Problems in the Garden
	No garden this side of Eden is going to be entirely pest-free. But you can reduce the risk of insect, disease, and weed problems if you take a few steps. For instance, choose a location with 8 to 10 hours of sunlight per day. This aids the growth of most vegetable crops. It also speeds the evaporation of water from plant surfaces, reducing the risk of disease. Gardeners are generally encouraged not to save their own seed but to purchase seeds from reputable seed dealers. Select varieties that have a built-in resistance to disease and certain insect pests. Also, use disease-free materials. All planting material should be healthy and free of yellowing and brown or black spots, and should not be stunted or show poor development.
	Don’t plant any crop from the same group of vegetables in the same portion of your garden more than once every three or four years. Rotate your crops. Certain diseases survive the winter on crop debris and may build up over time.
	Don’t underfertilize or overfertilize your plants. To determine the amounts and availability of nutrients in your garden, have the soil tested. For information on how to do this, contact your local U of I Extension office.
	Maintain proper soil pH. A soil that is slightly acidic to neutral, 6.0 to 6.9, is best for growing most vegetables. If your soil test indicates that the soil is more acidic than it should be, apply the recommended amount of limestone. If your soil is too alkaline, add sulphur.
	Wait to sow seeds until the soil has warmed, because young plants grow faster and often escape infection. Also, plant vegetables at recommended spacings to allow the air and sun to dry off the lower foliage and, therefore, reduce relative humidity around the plants. Stalking, caging, trellising, and pruning plants also provide more air circulation.
	Plant in well-drained soil. In heavy or poorly drained soils, try planting on ridges, hills, or in raised beds to prevent seedling blights, root rots, or foliage diseases in plants that contact damp soil. Adding organic matter to the soil will help to loosen poorly drained clay soils.
	Water the soil thoroughly by adding an inch of water per week when there is not sufficient rainfall. If plants suffer from too much or too little water, they will be less vigorous and more susceptible to problems.