Cultural Control

Cultural control in undoubtedly the most important aspect of home landscape pest management. With education and planning, the homeowner may be able to avoid common pest problems associated with poorly installed or poorly maintained landscapes. Specific aspects of cultural control include:

Plant/site selection

- Select plants with natural pest resistance

- Select plants with appropriate hardiness

- Match plants to particular sites

- Select quality nursery stock

Plant installation

- Consider properties with compacted soils

- Improper planting often results in stress and disease

- Match plant and site characteristics

Plant maintenance

- Watering in the landscape

- fertilizing

- mulching

- pruning shrubs and shade trees

- disease management

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