Dealing With Leaf Scorch

If you start to notice yellowing or browning on the leaves of your plants then it's quite possible you have leaf scorch. It generally begins on the edges or the tips of the leaves and eventually will cover the whole of the leaf. Sometimes the leaves will even fall off.

Leaf scorch is usually caused by winds and particularly those winds that are hot and dry. It will also happen with salt laden winds that can occur if you are living close to the sea.

Image via Flickr

Often you will only notice this condition on one side of the plant and that will be the side that is exposed most to the winds. Creating shelter will help to reduce the damage that the wind will cause. You might also need to consider moving the plant to a better position that is less exposed.

However, another reason why you might get leaf scorch could be the application of excessive amounts of fertilizer.

There is no treatment for the leaves that have already been damaged other than to remove them from the plant and try to solve the problem before the rest of the plant suffers.

Other than providing a windbreak, you should ensure that the plant gets sufficient water, particularly in the dry season and always follow the instructions on the fertilizer packets to ensure you aren't giving your plants too much fertilizer.

Yellow or golden leaved plants are usually more susceptible to leaf scorch than other plants and you might find that the plant you have chosen might not be suitable for the climate you are trying to grow it in.

If this is so, then the only alternative will be to replace that plant with something that is a little hardier. If you live on a coastal property you need to consider the affect that the salt wind will have on plants and choose accordingly.

Tips on Preparing Your Garden for Winter

Sadly, no matter how much we may wish to deny it, winter is on its way, and will be here shortly (sooner for some of us than others). It’s always sad for me to say goodbye to my beautiful summer garden, although the fact that it’s not so beautiful anymore by now does help….

For those lucky enough to live in a climate where you can garden year-round, you may not have to worry about some of these things. But for many of us, the time has come to prepare our garden for its long rest over the winter months. (Meanwhile, we gardeners can dream, plan, and look forward to spring!)

Here are some recent articles with great tips on preparing your garden for winter:

Prepare the Organic Garden for Winter: Tips for Protecting Plants …
Organic gardeners in Northern climates, high elevations, or a locale with cold temperatures, frost, or snow can minimize damage to plants with some preparation.
Publish Date: 09/01/2009 19:45

http://www.suite101.com/content/prepare-the-organic-garden-for-winter-a144444

How to Prepare a Garden for Winter: Tips on Getting Outdoor …
Properly winterizing a garden will prepare it for cold weather and snow, and lessen the amount of repairing and replanting that needs to be done in the spring.
Publish Date: 10/08/2009 12:20

http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to-prepare-a-garden-for-winter-a156922

Preparing the Herb Garden for Winter: Autumn and Early Winter …
Find out how to prepare herb gardens to survive till spring in cold-winter climates.
Publish Date: 11/12/2008 11:08

http://www.suite101.com/content/preparing-the-herb-garden-for-winter-a77895

Related articles on Winterizing Your Garden:

• Cutting Back a Garden to Prepare for Winter (brighthub.com)
• Your Guide to Winterizing a Vegetable Garden (brighthub.com)
• Top Tips to Banish the Blues by Gardening in Winter (brighthub.com)