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Saturday Webinars | Garden Bugs & Diseases

Saturday Webinars | Garden Bugs & Diseases

Hello gardener!

No matter what kind of garden you choose to cultivate, there will always be the possibility of attracting bugs and disease. Sometimes you attract trouble from the weather, watering practices, a food source, or even from something airborne from a neighboring yard. We’re here to prepare you for whatever gets thrown at you. If you suspect your plant is suffering from a disease or pest issue, feel free to reach out to us in store, on social media, or email us at [email protected].

Big thank you to everyone who joined us for our webinar! We ran into some wifi issues at the end, but if you have a question about garden bugs and diseases, please send us an email and we’ll help you personally. [email protected]

We also really love this prairie focused book called The Prairie Gardener’s Go-To for Pests & Diseases by Janet Melrose and Sheryl Normandeau. Shop for it here

DISEASES

Fungal diseases are common in the garden, but there’s also bacterial disease and physiological disease that may pop up. Keeping your garden clean, sanitizing tools at the beginning of the season, and keeping plants healthy are all great ways to avoid disease. Of course, sometimes you can do it all and still run into issues. Let’s explore some of the main points from today’s presentation

Fungal Diseases

Treatment

  • Prune the diseased sections and dispose of right away. Disinfect tools afterward.
  • Avoid dense and wet mulches where fungus can breed.
  • Treat fungus early to avoid spread. Many fungicides are preventative measures. It’s a good idea to treat before symptoms develop.
    • Also apply fungicides on a dry day before watering so the infected parts are free of any water barriers.
  • Be aware that not all plants can be saved. We will do out best to help you through any fungal crisis, but sometimes it be time to dispose of the plant before more damage is done to the rest of your garden.

From left to right: Powdery Mildew, Black Knot, Black Spot, Rust, Root Rot, Botrytis Blight

Powdery MildewBlack KnotBlack Spot

RustRoot RotBotrytis Blight

Bacterial Diseases

These types of diseases are basically untreatable, so prevention is super important. Especially in veggies, there are many plant varieties that are resistant, like scab-resistant potatoes. Also, look at rotating your crops to ensure your plants are getting proper nutrition and keep healthy. Pruning can help, as well as keeping the leaves, fruits, and stems dry when watering.

From left to right: Fireblight, Canker, Wilt, Gall, Soft Rot, Scab

 

Physiological Diseases

If your plant develops this kind of disease, it may not be physically happy. Treatment for this is the easiest of all the diseases as it usually requires things like moving the plant for better sun exposure, or adding more nutrients like calcium to tomato plants. A very common physiological disease is blossom end rot which is seen in the photo below. This commonly occurs in tomato plants and it’s a sign that the plant isn’t receiving enough calcium. It’s easy to treat though, with a calcium enrichment product.

BUGS

As Colin said, bugs, both good and bad, are inevitable. The garden is a living ecosystem going through constant change. One of the great things about bugs, is how they reflect the overall health of your garden. A spiders web can indicate what kind of bad bugs are hanging around. An increase of lady bugs may indicate an aphid infestation. There are loooots of products on the market that you can use to control pests, however, there are also more natural solutions that just as, if not more effective. Today, we’re focusing on the bugs that impact your garden, so this list won’t include pests like ants or wasps or mosquitos. They don’t harm the garden per say… they just annoy us to no end lol. But let’s take a look at some of those garden bugs now.

Bad Bugs

Bad bugs are those that will harm your plant. They may deplete the sugar of a plant, lay eggs in it’s leaves, or chow down and weaken a plants structure.

Aphids

  • What they look like: Tiny and moves very slowly. Usually appears in groups. Green, black, yellow, or even wooly coloured.
  • What they Do: Feeds on plant juices and leave a sugary trail for ants and wasps.
  • What they Cause: Leaves will turn yellow, curl, or become misshapen. They will make the plant more susceptible to pathogens.
  • Common Predator: Ladybird Beetle
  • Control Product: Trounce
  • Live Insect Control Options

Spider Mites

  • What they look like: Small red spider that moves very fast.
  • What they Do: Live on the underside of leaves and feeds on chlorophyll.
  • What they Cause: Damage will cause white spots on leaves, weakening the plant.

Slug/Snail

  • What they look like: Soft-bodied with little antennae. Sometimes come equipped with a shell. Leaves a sticky trail.
  • What they Do: Chows down on vegetation and live in the damp, shady locations of your garden.
  • What they Cause: Causes structural damage to the plant by leaving open wounds. Also attract critters like skunks and raccoons.
  • Control Product: Slug B Gon

Scale Insects

  • What they look like: Tiny and develop a solid shell over the growing season to resist predators and most pesticides. Often appear in groups.
  • What they Do: Sucks sap out of branches.
  • What they Cause: Branches will dieback and weaken the plant. (See oyster scale crisis on Cotoneasters in Calgary)
  • Control Product: Dormant Spray Kit (Used in the early spring as a preventative measure before the pest develops shell)

Lily Beetle

  • What they look like: Like a cross between a ground beetle and a ladybird without the spots.
  • What they Do: Targets lilies
  • What they Cause: Extreme structural damage leading to death of the perennial.
  • Control Product: Trounce

Leaf Miner

  • What they look like: Almost like a caterpillar. They begin as a larvae and then develop wings while inside a cocoon.
  • What they Do: Larvae develop wings in the soil. As adults they fly into the canopy and lay eggs inside the leaf membrane.
  • What they Cause: Leaves will become infested and fall decreasing plants ability to photosynthesis. Overall health impacted.
  • Control Product: N/A
  • Live Insect Control Options OR Nemotodes

Good Bugs

Good bugs are often predatory towards the bad bugs in our garden. They’re garden superheroes and are the best indicators of what might be happening beneath the surface.

Ladybird Beetle

A gardeners friend. These predatory bugs will feed on aphids (at least 50/day!), mites, scales, mealy bugs, and more. They hibernate in the winter, so make sure you create a little next of leaves for them to do so. They’ll thank you in the spring!

Spider

Bad image, but so beneficial! By looking at their webs, you can get an idea of what bad bugs might be lurking in your garden. These predators will feed on many pests, so if you see lots popping up in your yard, you may have a bad bug infestation on your hands.

Centipede

These quick predators are actually good for your garden! They will consume many pests, mostly soft-bodied ones.

Dragonfly

These airborne beauties will target mosquitos, midges, flights, wasps, and more.

Ground Beetle

You know those cute, shiny, black beetles you sometimes see squirming on their backs in the garden? Yes, those ones! They are friends! They feed on mites, snails, slugs, aphids, and more. Sometimes called a ‘dirty pollinator’ as they travel along flower tops spreading pollen while looking for snacks.

Nemotodes

These parasite lives in the soil and are a vast category that target specific pests depending on their species (1000+). They cause no harm to us, but will wipe out the toughest pests like leaf miner.

 

If you’re interested in exploring natural bug control, see our website

 

The more detailed encore presentation hosted by Colin Hayles is now available to view on our YouTube channel.

If you’d like a copy of Colin’s PowerPoint, click here: Golden Acre Webinars – Bugs and Diseases 2022

UPCOMING FREE WEBINARS/SEMINARS:

June 18, 2022Birding: How they benefit your garden and how to attract them. <<< Register Now

June 25, 2022Watering & Maintenance <<< Register Now

Registration for all of our free Saturday Spring Webinars

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Calcium Nitrate:

Mix Ratio: Apply ¼ teaspoon per 2 litres once a week. I full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended preventing blossom end rot and calcium deficiency in tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchinis, and cannabis. It is also highly beneficial for all leafy greens and cruciferous plants (cabbage, Brussel sprouts, broccoli etc.).

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Iron Chelate

Mix Ratio: Soil drench – apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix ratio: Foliar spray - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 4 Litres of water once every 4 weeks. A full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended for correcting iron deficiency in a variety of plants grown in high pH soil. Iron deficiency is diagnosed by the yellowing or pale colour of the plant leaves, especially in young growth.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

High Drainage

Moisten Thoroughly before use: (optional) Peat moss can be water-repellent. Before use, thoroughly wet the soil.

Potting:

Use pots with drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Fill the pot with the moistened soil, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more soil.

Firm the soil gently.

Watering:

This is crucial! Water frequently, especially during hot weather.

Check the soil moisture regularly by sticking your finger into the soil.

Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is low in nutrients, fertilize regularly with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

Consider Amendments:

For plants that prefer more moisture retention, you can add a small amount of coco coir or vermiculite to the mix.

Important Notes:

Overwatering: While frequent watering is necessary, avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

Plant Selection: This type of soil is well-suited for seed starting as well as plants that prefer well-drained conditions, such as cacti, cannabis, succulents, and some tropical plants.

Adjustments: You may need to adjust your watering frequency based on the specific plant and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sunlight).

Alberta Blend

Moisten the Peat Moss before use: (optional) Peat moss can be hydrophobic (water-repellent) when dry. Before using it, thoroughly moisten it. You can do this by placing it in a container and adding water, then squeezing out any excess.

Mixing: (optional) Our Private Label Alberta Blend comes ready to use, expertly formulated for your plants, either indoors or outdoors.

If you're using this mix as your own base, combine it with worm castings, volcanic dust, vermiculite, etc. to improve nutrition, drainage and/or aeration.

Potting:

When potting your plants, ensure that the pot has drainage holes.

Fill the pot with the moistened potting mix, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more potting mix.

Lightly firm the soil around the plant leaving ½ inch to an inch of space at the top for watering.

Watering:

Because peat moss retains water, be careful not to overwater.

Allow the top layer of soil to dry out slightly before watering again.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is nutrient-poor, you'll need to provide your plants with regular fertilization.

Use the correct fertilizer according to the plant's needs.

20-20-20 Houseplant Complete

Mix Ratio: For all houseplants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week once every week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

It is highly recommended to start your houseplants on a fertilizer regime, but only while they are actively growing. Houseplants tend to have a period of dormancy (normally winter, however poinsettias, Xmas cacti etc. are exceptions to this rule) and whilst dormant they should not be fertilized.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

22-6-15 Plus Herb and Leafy Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all herbaceous and leafy vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This fertilizer is ideal for all leafy vegetables and for herbs. This product can be used year-round if you grow herbs indoors.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

20-12-28 Tomato and Fruiting Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all fruiting vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Use this fertilizer on planting day and push right through until the plant either stops producing or reaches the end of season. In the case of transplanted seedlings this fertilizer should be used after the 2 feedings of Js - Jump-Start & Transplant.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

10-52-10 Jump-Start & Transplant

Mix Ratio: For outdoor summer plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Normally two applications, one at the time of transplanting, the second application can be done one week later from the initial fertilizing. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix Ratio: For seed starting - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Do not over water seedlings, feed every 2 weeks until transplanted outside. Feed them at the time of transplanting outdoors, then one more feeding a week later. After that start using the correct fertilizer for type of plant. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

 e.g. Vt Vegetable: Tomato and Fruiting for tomatoes, F3 Flower flower flower for bedding out/annual plants.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

4-5-28 Perennial Complete

Mix Ratio: All perennials (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks from spring to late summer. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your perennials. For existing perennials, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. new shoots etc.). For new perennials we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

28-14-14 Plus Trees and Shrubs - Fruit and Flower

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water per week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your fruiting and flowering trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

14-7-21 Tree and Shrub Leaf & Needle

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your evergreen/coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

15-10-30 Flower, Flower, Flower

Mix Ratio: Outdoor plants (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water twice a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your annual plants. We recommend starting to fertilize at time of planting outdoors and go through to first frost.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.