Are the leaves of your plants pock-marked, shriveled or covered in white powder? They might be suffering the attack of a common plant disease like powdery mildew, rust or black spot. Metro Natural Gardening Expert Carl Grimm  showed us how to push plant disease away without harming people, pets, rivers or streams – all with harmful pesticides.
 
Drip, snip and plant your problems away:

• Water regularly, and water in the morning and try to keep plant leaves dry.

• Foster good air circulation by pruning and planting for lots of room.

• Prune affected leaves and other plant debris and put them in your yard waste bin, not in your home compost.

• Select disease-resistant varieties for new plantings, and use compost in the soil for added disease-resistance.

• Use least-toxic fungicides only if necessary.

For free factsheets, pesticide-free pledge information and more, visit oregonmetro.gov/garden.