A practical guide to common garden pests by season and US region. Learn what to look for and how to stop it.
Most pest problems are easier to prevent than to treat. These habits dramatically reduce pest pressure in any garden.
Check the undersides of leaves and along stems. Catching an infestation early, when it is just a few insects, is far easier than treating a full outbreak.
Crowded plants with poor airflow are ideal conditions for fungal diseases and pests. Space plants according to their size tags and prune to open up the canopy.
Wet foliage invites fungal issues and some pests. Use drip irrigation or water at the soil level, and do it in the morning so plants dry out before evening.
Ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps eat pest insects. Plant dill, fennel, yarrow, and marigolds nearby to draw them in and keep them around.
Planting the same vegetables in the same spot year after year lets pest populations build up in the soil. Rotate plant families each season to break the cycle.
Pests and diseases overwinter in dead plant material. Remove spent plants, fallen fruit, and dead leaves at the end of each season to reduce next year's pressure.
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