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Pests and Diseases

Learn what pests and diseases you might encounter in your Boston growing space and how to manage these issues.

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GrowBoston reached out to farmers and gardeners in Boston about their experience with pests and diseases. 

Specifically, we asked what pests and diseases they are struggling with and how they have been able to manage these issues. This resource is informed by their responses and additional research.

Pests

Aphids

Aphids are tiny insects that feed on plant sap and are found on the undersides of leaves, causing distortion and discoloration. Some management techniques from Boston growers include “neem oil” , “transport natural ladybug population’s larvae onto infested plants”, and “application of beneficial nematodes in the fall and spring to trees fighting aphids to introduce natural predators to the pest.” Check out this webpage for More Information and Management Techniques.

Whiteflies

Whiteflies are tiny insects that feed on plant sap, causing yellowing and wilting of leaves. They can also transmit plant viruses. Check out this webpage for More Information and Management Techniques. 

Cabbage Worms and Cabbage White Butterflies 

Cabbage worms and butterflies can damage crops in the cabbage family. They often chew holes in leaves into the heads. Also, they may leave fecal pellets in the produce. Check out this webpage for More Information and Management Techniques. 

Slugs and Snails 

These mollusks can feed on a variety of plants, leaving irregular holes in leaves and causing significant damage. Check out this webpage for More Information and Management Techniques.

Tree Borers 

Tree borers damage trees when their larvae burrow inside trees and feed on the bark. Once management technique from a Boston grower includes "removing larval growth of leaf borers at the tree base, then soaking of roots with the same mixture mentioned above to flesh out larval growth.” Check out this webpage for More Information and Management Techniques. 

Fungus Gnats

These small flies are often found in soil, as they are attracted to moisture and fungus. Once management technique from a Boston grower includes using “steinernema feltiae nematodes as needed to control fungus gnats, mostly in the greenhouse during winter.” Check out this webpage for More Information and Management Techniques. 

Diseases

CLUBROOT

Clubroot is a soil-borne disease, impacting plants such as cabbage and broccoli. It causes deformation of the plant roots and stunted growth. Check out this webpage for More Information and Management Techniques.

Powdery Mildew 

Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease that appears as a white powdery substance on leaves, affecting a variety of plants. Check out this webpage for More Information and Management Techniques.

Late Blight

This disease causes dark, water-soaked lesions on the leaves of tomatoes and potatoes, causing plant stress that can impact fruit and tuber production. Check out this webpage for More Information and Management Techniques.

Fusarium Wilt

Fusarium wild is a soil-borne fungus that causes wilting and yellowing of leaves in various crops. Some crops affected by this are tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. Fusarium wilt impacts the yield and quality of crop harvest by reducing nutrient uptake and stunting growth. Check out this webpage for More Information and Management Techniques. 

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