Using Fungicides In Your Garden

Gardening is a favorite hobby for many. Relaxing and rewarding, there is nothing like planting flowers and watching them thrive under your green thumb. But this soothing hobby can become stressful if your garden becomes infected with disease or pests. You can minimize the damage and your stress with a keen eye and proper use of commercial fungicides.

Simply paying attention to the condition of the plants in your garden may be the best way to keep disease outbreaks at bay. After you have been gardening for awhile, you will develop a feel for what is normal, and that will make it much easier to spot any outbreaks before they spread throughout the garden.

Just like with your body, keeping your plant in good condition will help to ward off disease. Healthier plants are able to fight off disease more easily then weak and undernourished plants. The better the condition of your plants, the more they will be able to fight off disease.

Even the healthiest plants, however, sometimes succumb to disease, so it is important to be on the lookout for the first signs of problems so that they can be treated promptly. Symptoms like holes in the leaves, black spots, white spots and wounded stems can be signs of trouble. If you notice any of these conditions, it is important to diagnose and treat the affected plants as quickly as possible. This is because an outbreak of disease, or a pest infestation, can quickly spread throughout the garden.

Fungal disease is one of the most common disease you will find in your garden. This is best treated with a synthetic fungicide. As with anything else, there are tons of fungicides on the market so we have provided a list below of some of the most popular ones. If you see diseased plants in your garden but don't know what it causing it, take a sample to your local garden shop and ask them – chances are they will know just what it is and how to fix it.

It is important to note that the fungicide Chlorothalonil slowly dissipates with time, but the other fungicides on this list are systemic. Their systemic nature means that once they are applied to the plant, they are absorbed into the foliage and the root system. A systemic fungicide works to prevent and cure infection from within the plant itself. Because of this property, it is important never to use a systemic fungicide on plants intended for food.

Some of the most commonly used fungicides are:

Chlorothalonil (Daconil) – Chlorothalonil is a multipurpose fungicide with is used to prevent and treat common fungal diseases which affect lawns, fruits, vegetables as well as many ornamental and flowering plants.

Theiophanate-methyl – Thelophanate-methyl is a systemic fungicide that is effective in treating many common plant diseases, including powdery mildew and black spot.

Triadiemefon (Bayleton) – Triadiemefon is a systemic fungicide which is usually used to prevent and treat powdery mildew and rust. It is also effective against some lawn diseases.

Triforine (Funginex) – Triforine is a systemic fungicide used to treat and prevent common fungal diseases such as rust, black spot and powdery mildew. It has also proven effective against some other diseases of both flowering and non-flowering plants.

Both systemic and non systemic fungicides are serious business so it is important that you follow the directions on the package to the tee. Make sure you use the minimum amount recommended. And also heed any warnings on the label. Make sure you dispose of the product properly and always wear protective clothing, such as a breathing mask, goggles and gloves for protection while applying any fungicide.

Choosing Roses
The rose is a favorite garden flower and has been for decades. They have many uses other than just in flower beds as they are great for cutting and adding to bouquets and keeping in vases.

Planting Perennials
Perennials are a mainstay of many gardens and can be enjoyed for many seasons without replanting. In addition to their longevity they also present the gardener with many choices in coloration as well as size and shape.

Choosing And Planting Bulbs
Bulbs are great to plant in your garden and have the added benefit of blooming again and again for many years. Although many beginner gardeners are a bit put off about planting them, they are actually quite easy to plant and very hardy too.

Popular Bulbs
Read about some popular bulbs and their planting requirements.

Dividing Bulbs Properly
Bulbs come in different types and therefore the methods of dividing them differ. There are 5 types of bulbs corms, tubers, true bulbs, rhizomes, and tuberous roots. If you plan to divide your bulbs, you need to identify which type you have so that you can divide them properly.

Caring For Your Annuals
With so many different annuals on the market, their ability to resist common plant diseases and insect infestations can vary quite a bit. While some types of annuals are virtually impervious to disease and insects, others require much more care to remain trouble free. Here's some tips on keeping your annuals healthy