The number of pests, weeds and diseases in your garden can be minimised by following the basics of good garden hygiene and practices. Weeding thoroughly, clearing up leaves, prunings and dead wood removes the shelter and nourishment that many pests find amongst weeds and debris. Pests and diseases cause most problems with plants that are already under stress, and so keeping plants healthy and growing strongly can help them to shake off problems that could prove fatal to weaker plants.

If you do find your plants affected by pests or diseases, think carefully before reaching for the nearest chemical spray. Whilst some pests may be unsightly, they may not actually be hazardous to the plants health. There are also other alternatives to chemical treatment, including biological and organic practices, which help to preserve the delicate natural ecosystem in your garden.

In this section, we take a look at some of the methods that may be used to prevent pests and diseases, and the range of techniques that can be employed to control any serious outbreaks.