TIPS FOR DEALING WITH ISSUES IN THE GARDEN
With the end of frost threats growing nearer, you might have some plans in mind for your garden or flower beds at home, or for the planters on the patio at your senior living community.
Erin Kinley, a Master Gardener with the Penn State Extension who is based out of its Montgomery County office, offered some helpful ways to prevent and combat
any issues you might face this growing season.
In addition to being the most environmentally friendly approach, her recommendations offer a big cost savings.
“The single best thing you can do to treat a problem is to correctly diagnose it in the first place,” Kinley said. “Chemicals are usually a quick fix and might not address the root problem as to why a disease is happening or why it happened in the first
place.”
If you have a rose bush that isn’t doing well, weird spots on a tomato or bald and brown patches on grass, before taking any action with pesticides or other pricey routes, it’s best not to attempt to correct it before diagnosis.
“Sometimes it’s a bacterial disease and sometimes there is something going on with cultural care, such as not enough sunlight or too much shade; too much water or not enough water, from where we plant it to what we do with it once it’s planted,” she said.
From trees, shrubs and flowers to vegetables, Kinley said a lot of problems are caused by poor plant care practices.
“A full sun plant in shade or vice versa,” she said of one common problem.
To get an answer to your issue, you can do your own research using resources on the internet, reach out to speak with a Master Gardener through Penn State
Extension’s Master Gardener Program or join a gardening club, such as the West Chester Gardening Club in Chester County, which offers workshops and programs to broaden members’ gardening skills.
“Since its inception in 1925, the objective of the members of the West Chester Garden Club (WCGC) has been to stimulate the love of gardening, conserve our resources and improve the