Many things ready to prey on vegetables

Theoretically, warm-season vegetables should make it until frost in the Augusta area but they seldom do because they fall victim to disease.

Wilt, leaf spots, blight and fruit rot are just a few of the problems that plague vegetable gardens every year.

Plant diseases are caused by fungi, bacteria, nematodes and viruses. When conditions are wet and temperatures warm, your plants are more susceptible to fungi and bacteria.

You have to inspect your garden regularly so you can stay on top of things. Sometimes all you have to do is pick off a leaf or two to help prevent problems from spreading.

When garden conditions are dry, nematode damage can be more evident. Soil can be sampled for nematodes by submitting a sample through your extension office.

Viruses can occur at any time.

Many plant diseases can occur on or within the seed. This is why seed should not be saved from year to year unless you have an heirloom variety. This is important to prevent a number of diseases. Buying seed in packets ensures that you are buying western grown seed, which means the plants were grown in arid conditions.

Disease-resistant plant varieties are the most efficient way of controlling vegetable diseases. Resistance traits are usually listed in seed catalogs and on labels on transplants.

Don't plant your garden near or beneath trees. The shade will reduce the drying of plant foliage after rains and increase the chances of diseases. Vegetables like at least 6-8 hours a day of sunlight, and the trees will compete for vital nutrients.

Crop rotation is important. If you continue to plant the same vegetables in the same spot year after year, you are asking for soil disease problems.

In an ideal situation, you should grow the same or closely related vegetable plants in the same soil only once every three to five years. This practice starves out most pathogens that cause stem and leaf diseases.

Trap crops and companion plants can reduce virus diseases carried by small insects. Plant a few rows such as rye (in spring and fall gardens) or corn around your main garden. Or plant different flowers (anything that blooms). This will tempt insects to feed there first, reducing the risk of them infecting your vegetables.

If you water overhead (with a sprinkler) water early in the morning and not during late afternoon or evening. Watering early allows the foliage on the plants to dry quicker.

Avoid splashing soil onto plant foliage. If possible, irrigate by running water between the rows.

If you use tobacco, wash your hands thoroughly before handling plants. This will prevent the spread of tobacco mosaic virus, which can infect many kinds of vegetables, particularly tomatoes and peppers.

Keep weeds to a minimum. Weeds compete with the vegetables for nutrients, water, light and growing space.

After harvest, remove and destroy all plants from the garden, and sanitize your garden equipment. This will reduce the overwintering of disease-causing organisms.

Most important, use proper cultural practices to keep your plants healthy. Healthy plants don't get diseases as easily as weak ones.

SID MULLIS IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA EXTENSION SERVICE OFFICE FOR RICHMOND COUNTY. CALL HIM AT (706) 821-2349 OR SEND E-MAIL TO SMULLIS@UGA.EDU.