Summertime and Watering

Too much of a good thing can lead to fungus. 

During the summer months, we notice that the number of gardeners who call us concerned that their plants have fungus increases significantly.  One of the first things we ask is, "What time are you watering your plants and how frequently are you watering?" We also ask if it has been unusually rainy or humid.

Fungi need water to grow. It is a big problem during the summer months because people tend to overcompensate for the heat by over watering their plants. The longer your plants stay wet, the more inviting they become to fungus.

Here are our watering tips to help you keep fungus out of your summer garden:

Check your soil before you water. If it is almost dry, it is time to water. Do not water if your soil feels moist.

Make sure your container plants have proper drainage, and empty saucers of any standing water.

Water in the morning, before it gets sunny and hot (before 9:00 am).

Mulch. This keeps water and other debris from splashing up on your plants and will help maintain a healthy water supply.

As always, spray your plants with Physan 20 or Serenade at the first sign of fungus, and reevaluate your water situation so that you can keep fungus from reoccurring. Eco-friendly Physan 20 kills microorganisms that cause fungus, mildew, algae and odors on contact. Use Serenade for prevention and control of plant diseases including powdery mildew, scab, leaf blight, late blight, black mold and many more.