A Gardener’s Guide To Plant Nutrition

Every gardener knows that plants require several different nutrients to grow, but what specific nutrients do plants use and for what purpose? Here is a little overview and a science refresher. Macronutrients Macronutrients are those that plants need in the most significant amounts. The BIG 3, we call them. Nitrogen. Phosphorus. Potassium. These primary nutrients are represented by the letters from the periodic table of N, P, and K. Nitrogen (N) is the most commonly deficient soil nutrient plants require to produce chlorophyll, proteins, and enzymes for growth and reproduction. Phosphorus (P) is the nutrient that helps the plant regulate […]

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Understanding Plant Diseases

There are dozens of different types of plant diseases that can affect vegetable gardens from coast to coast. Plant diseases should not be a mystery to most gardeners, and yet… all types of gardeners struggle with them every season. Solutions are obvious, but understanding is the first step. Plant Disease Diagnosis Plant disease management starts with proper disease diagnosis. Just like a clinical physician, the doctor will ask, “What symptoms do you have?” In the garden, we must ask, “What symptoms does the plant have?”  Nowadays, you may be able to narrow down the possibilities by looking for examples online […]

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Prevent 4 Common Potato Plant Problems

Potatoes are some of the easiest crops for home gardeners to grow, but this does not mean that they can’t have problems. Just like most garden vegetables, the best potato tubers come from the healthiest, well-cared-for plants. Don’t let common garden problems get the best of your potatoes. Be prepared and practice proper prevention to harvest some pretty potatoes this year. Skip The Scab Scab is probably the ugliest named garden disease, and it happens to affect several root-type veggies, but potatoes are impacted most. Scab is caused by soil bacteria called Streptomyces. There are several different pathogens but it’s […]

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Black Knot Fungus: Treatment & Prevention

Black Knot is a common fungal disease that affects different species of Prunus, such as cherry, peach, and plums. This type of fungus spreads mainly by spores carried on the wind in spring to infect new trees, however, the galls or knotty growths are not noticeable until late summer or even fall, after trees have lost their leaves. Now is the time to develop a prevention plan. What Is Black Knot Fungus Apiosporina morbosa is the responsible pathogen for the disease called Black Knot, which creates symptoms of black, knotty growths or galls that form on twigs, limbs, and sometimes […]

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Demystifying Fungicides

I can tell you, there is no “easy button” when it comes to fighting plant diseases in the garden. Plant diseases are caused by pathogens that are variable, complex and for the most part, they are everywhere. What can we do to help our plants fight these pathogens? One critical way to help our plants is with the use of fungicides. Understanding Fungicides Fungicides are a type of pesticide that can be extremely beneficial in the management of plant diseases; however, we must understand that fungicides are as variable, complex, and numerous as the pathogens we wish to control with […]

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Summer Vegetable Gardening: Common Problems & Solutions

We know this time of year the weather can get hot. For us, we can stay cool by being indoors but what about our vegetable plants? Problems With Higher Temperatures High temperatures can wreak havoc in our gardens. Do you have radishes producing all greens and no bulbous roots? It’s the heat.  Do you have lettuce or broccoli plants pushing up bloom stalks? They are bolting from the heat. The solution to these couple of examples is simple, plant earlier in the spring and replant additional crops for fall harvest. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Gardening is tough enough to […]

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How To Manage Common Watermelon Fungal & Bacterial Diseases

Watermelon and other cucurbit plants can become infected with numerous, common fungal and bacterial pathogens. Many have similar but observably different symptoms. This article is a quick and helpful guide toward possible identification and diagnosis. Do The Diseases Come From The Watermelon Seed? Some of these pathogens can be seed-borne and although at Jung Seed Company we procure all our seeds from reputable sources, and rigorously test for germination standards many pathogens such as Bacterial Fruit Blotch, may be present on a seed coat without our knowledge. This is true for any seed you may purchase. So, no matter where […]

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How To Prevent Yellow Shoulder Disorder On Tomatoes

Tomatoes are fun and rewarding to grow. There can be challenges along the way such as diseases and pests. Two of the most common tomato disorders you will likely battle are Blossom-End Rot and Yellow Shoulder (sometimes called Green Shoulder). This article will help you learn how to identify Yellow Shoulder, how to prevent it, and what tomato varieties to choose that are less susceptible to Yellow Shoulder. Disease vs Disorder The first thing to know is Yellow Shoulder is not a disease; it is a disorder. It is an important distinction to make because 99% of disorders can be […]

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Black Rot On Grapes: Prevention & Management

Black Rot, the most widespread disease of grapes, often causes grapes to turn brown and shrivel. It is extremely difficult to control and is the number one enemy of commercial growers and home gardeners alike. This article will help guide you to identifying, preventing, and management of Black Rot on grapes. What Is Black Rot? Black Rot is the most common fungal disease grapes can get. It is caused by the fungus Guignarida bidwellii. It is a cumulative disease, meaning it builds up for multiple seasons and can very often spread, undetected by many growers until it is a major […]

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