Stop plant diseases before they start. The best way to avoid plant diseases is to choose varieties that resist them—look on the tags at the garden center or in catalog descriptions for disease resistant plants. Then be sure to put those plants in the conditions they thrive in, because stressed-out plants are more susceptible to disease. Many fungal diseases are encouraged by constant moisture and poor air circulation around plants. To remedy that, plan your garden with enough room to accommodate full-grown plants, because water evaporates more slowly and air doesn't circulate well among crowded plants. And water your garden beds deeply and then allow the top level of soil to dry out before watering again. If diseases do appear, remove afflicted leaves (or entire plants) from your garden as soon as possible to prevent the disease from spreading to healthy plants.
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