We get a lot of questions about problems that our members are having in their garden. Unfortunately we are not able to answer all questions as we don't have the resources to respond to everyone individually, so we've put together some check points that will help answer the query in most cases. 

Summer is the time of the year when you get to see how well you prepared and fertilised your beds before you planted your plants, or fruit trees. January is often too late to do something about a major problem, but there may be something worth a go. Plants attract pests and diseases only when they are stressed.

The following points may help;


1. All plants and trees need soil that contains approx 50% air…. if your plants or trees are in very heavy soil there may be nothing we can do to help that situation unless we take out the crop, double dig or deeply prepare the soil, and begin again

2. All plants and trees have a range of moisture levels they need,  moist but not too dry, and not too wet…. have you been able to supply appropriate moisture levels? maybe you can do something about this now to avoid further issues this season. Be aware that holding a hose over a garden bed or around a tree may not be that effective... you need to get your hands in the soil and see what is actually happening, and how far the water is penetrating.  In heavy clay when the soil dries out the water you apply will probably find the nearest crack and just run away. You will have to water a little often to wet the soil up again. In sandy or lighter soil types if the soil gets too dry it sets up an electrical field that actually repels water so watering once again just all runs off and away. You have to get your hands in the soil and make sure you are actually keeping the soil evenly moist all the time. Breaking up the surface of the soil with a niwashi can also help with water absorption.

3. All plants and trees require minerals in certain relationships, to support a healthy microbe population. These microbes are essential for the plant to grow to be healthy enough to resist pest and disease problems… if you did not supply these minerals, there may be something you can do now...either by applying solid fertiliser or a foliar fertiliser. There are fantastic mineral mixes and products available for all your needs if you are not able to provide them yourself with  homemade brews using seaweeds, manure, compost and various forms of calcium.

4. If you have pest or disease issues we have arrange of products that we are confident about and very happy with, that you can look at. Our product range covers every problem we have ever had or seen in a garden that a product can actually do something about. They are all acceptable for organic growers, and are products that we regularly use ourselves.

5. For more information on how to grow healthy pest and disease resistant food please see the Koanga Institute Booklet “How To Grow Nutrient Dense Food”