Controlling Pests
Container garden plants are as susceptible to most insects and diseases as those grown in garden beds. However, using clean, pasteurized soil can avoid some soilborne disease and insect problems. You can pasteurize your garden soil by heating a pan of soil to 180oF and holding that temperature for 30 minutes. Semi-moist soil will heat more efficiently due to the production of steam. If your soil is dry, add one cup of water per gallon of soil and mix thoroughly before heating. Allow the soil to cool thoroughly before planting.
Inspect plants frequently for insects and disease symptoms on the leaves. Picking off insects as they are noticed is effective in controlling small-pest populations. Removing dead leaves, flowers, and overripe fruits will help discourage pests. In some cases, pesticides may be necessary to control or prevent pests from beating you to the harvest. If you use chemicals, be sure it is labeled for use on all plants in the container. Always read and follow pesticide labels.
Although they are not as much of a problem for container gardens as they are for garden beds, weeds can quickly take
over a container and compete with crops for light, water,
nutrients, and space. Before planting, refrain from using soil
from weed-infested areas. If weeds do appear in the container,
carefully pull them while they are still small and shallow-rooted.
Cut overgrown weeds rather than pull them to avoid injuring
the surrounding desirable plants. Herbicides are not practical in
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