Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) Practice Exam

What is the best way to control diseases in a vegetable garden?

1. Use preventative measures such as crop rotation

2. Treat with chemicals since insects emerge

3. Spray with chemicals when the garden is planted

4. Plant flowers to attract insects away

The correct answer is: Use preventative measures such as crop rotation

Using preventative measures such as crop rotation is the most effective way to control diseases in a vegetable garden. Crop rotation involves changing the location of specific plant families in the garden each season, which helps to disrupt the life cycles of pathogens and pests that may persist in the soil. By rotating crops, you reduce the likelihood of diseases that are specific to certain plants re-establishing themselves, thereby enhancing overall plant health and productivity. In addition to crop rotation, other preventative methods can include proper sanitation, selecting disease-resistant varieties, and maintaining adequate plant spacing for airflow. These strategies are proactive, helping to prevent disease outbreaks before they occur, rather than waiting to react once a problem has been identified. The other options primarily focus on reactive measures or misconceptions about pest management. While treating with chemicals or spraying them indiscriminately does address existing issues, it does not promote long-term health or sustainable practices in gardening. Furthermore, planting flowers to attract insects may assist in pest management but does not specifically target disease control effectively compared to the systematic approach offered by crop rotation.