Gardening Tips For Healthy Plants

Most people invest a huge sum of money to landscape the garden in order to give a facelift to the house. However, if the garden is not pruned or maintained, all efforts are wasted, giving the garden a terrible look. It is therefore, necessary to be aware of some gardening tips for the maintenance of the lawns and the garden. Some tips on the methods of avoiding the fungus formation are described below:
Pruning:
Pruning plants at the right time plays a very important role in their development. This is an essential task for a gardener. A bad pruning job can be likened to a bad haircut it will grow back again.

Avoid watering plants in the evening:
During the summer months, there is high humidity, and this may result in retention of moisture in the garden, thus increasing the problem of fungal infection. Plants should be kept dry during the night. Dampness during the night may promote the formation of fungus. Therefore, it is better to avoid watering them in the evening. They may be watered as early during the day as possible.

Get rid of mildew:
Powdery mildew is a common fungus that mostly affects ornamental plants. It will create a white film on the leaves of the plants in the garden. Ornamental plants like Dogwoods and Sand cherry are also prone to attack by this fungus. It is necessary to curb the development of this fungus because it can ruin the plants. Powdery mildew formation can be prevented by spraying a general fungicide over all the plants and the lawn.

Pythium Blight:
Pythium Blight is a type of fungus that thrives in humid conditions. If perennial Rye grass has been planted in the lawn, then care should be taken to see that it does not remain wet during the night. The growth of the fungus can be seen during the morning. It appears like white cotton candy covered over the lawn. It is mainly seen along walkways and driveways if the soil is moist. The lawn can be watered during the daytime to prevent formation of this fungus.

Fire Blight:
Fire Blight is yet another type of fungus that thrives during the summer months. This fungus attacks plants like Pyracantha, crabapple trees, cotoneasters, and apple trees. Fire Blight can be easily observed when a branch of the plant turns red and dies. It can be prevented from spreading by cutting off the affected branch and keeping it away from the main plant as much as possible. It is also important to burn the cut branches since Fire Blight is contagious and will spread easily to the rest of the plant and surrounding vegetation. The shears used for pruning may be either washed or dipped in alcohol to prevent the infection from spreading.

Shotgun fungus
This is a small gem like fungus that grows in mulch and begins to swell. This variety of fungus can fly up to 8 feet in the air and spatter the walls with tiny brown specks. The specks stick firmly to the wall or windowpanes and even the plants. The brown spots can be mistaken for tiny spiders. It is difficult to prevent the growth of this fungus. However, keeping the mulch loose so that air can circulate is one way of reducing the infestation. It is a good idea to replace the mulch with a fresh lot at least once a year. It can also be raked flat to loosen it, regularly.

Tags: Fungal, gardening, Infection, Prevention, Tips