The final thing to remember when trying to control pests and diseases in an organic garden is hygiene.

If trying to remove a diseased branch from a tree, coral spot for example, cut into healthy wood and always wash your tools in boiling water afterwards.

Always scrub out your pots and give your greenhouse a good scrub every winter to get rid of those over-wintering pests.
Maximising air circulation by correct pruning and leaving just a little more space between your plants can help control fungal diseases, for example powdery mildew in roses.

Be vigilant
Finally and most importantly, check your plants regularly so that any pest and diseases don't get a chance to get a hold. For example, if you start checking the centre of your gooseberry bushes in April for sawfly eggs and larvae you can remove them and therefore prevent them from defoliating your crop. Also be wary of accepting onion and cabbage plants from a friendly neighbour, they may well carry the dreadful diseases of onion white rot and clubroot. You will never be able to get rid of these diseases so err on the side of caution and 'just say no'. If you have an allotment with either of these diseases then don't even use the same tools or boots in your own garden because you will spread them.

So to all the beginners who thought they were just going to do a straight swap from conventional to organic gardening by simply changing their sprays it is not quite so simple. Organic gardening is the thinking man/woman's horticulture. Planning, forethought, observation and vigilance make for success in the organic garden and remember, prevention is better than cure!

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