Most herbs are pretty tough characters. When planted at the right time, the right place, and in the right soil, most herbs will have few if any serious pest or disease problems.

If a disease happens to pop up in the herb garden, we recommend using products that contain Neem oil, which can also be used on fruits, flowering plants, ornamentals, and roses to prevent black spot, rust, leaf spot, and powdery mildew. Neem oil also works to control many harmful insects. Safer Company makes a 3-in-1 product, that includes insecticidal soap for insect control, sulfur for fungicide, and neem oil. This spray does not harm beneficial insects and can be used on vegetables or any other plants. Use Bonide Rot Stop on tomatoes to control blossom end rot.

IMPORTANT: If a herb plant planted in the garden dies, and the bed is full of all the same type plant, remove immediately to stop any spreading of disease throughout the entire flowerbed. Make sure to buy types of herb plants that grow well in your climate.

When and if you spray your herb plants for disease such as mildew, make sure to wet as much of the foliage as is possible.

Homemade Recipes for Treating Fungal Diseases

If you are growing vegetables in containers or the garden you can use the following homemade recipes as a possible remedy and prevention for disease:

Mix two tablespoons of baking soda into a quart of water. Pour into a spray container and spray affected areas. Repeat this process every few days until problem ceases.

Powdery Mildew: Mix equal parts milk and water and spray on infected plants. Three treatments a week apart should control the disease.

Insects and Fungal Diseases: Combine one tablespoon of cooking oil, two tablespoons of baking soda and a few drops of Ivory soap into a quart of water. Pour into a spray container and spray foliage.

Disease Prevention Tips

1. Water plants at the base to avoid splashing water on leaves.
2. Mulch under and around plants to avoid leaf to soil contact.
3. Water or irrigate plants in the morning hours to allow any water that might splash on foliage to dry during the day. Water left standing on foliage overnight can quickly cause development of fungus and disease on foliage and flowers.
4. Plant herbs in well-drained soils to avoid root rot, leaf spot and other plant diseases caused by wet feet.
5. Space plants properly instead of overcrowding. Overcrowding doesn't allow for good air circulation; one of the best preventive measures for disease and fungus.
6. Make sure you select plants that have demonstrated adaptability to your climate - especially if you garden in a hot, humid or rainy climate.
7. Allow soil in beds and containers to dry out a little between watering. Do not water so much that the soil remains consistently wet. Overwatering plants is the number one cause of death.