Sanitation also removes debris that harbors insects, including squash and plant bugs, asparagus and flea beetles, slugs, snails, and aphid eggs. Do not compost diseased or insect-infested plant material. Temperatures in the compost pile often don't get hot enough to kill these organisms. Till the Soil Turn over or mix soil layers in vegetable or flower gardens. Incorporate remaining plant debris as you till the soil.
Plant material helps enrich the soil by speeding the decay of organic matter.
It also disturbs or injures many overwintering pests or exposes them to freezing and predation. Working the soil reduces soilborne disease populations such as Fusarium and Rhizoctonia , as well as cutworms, white grubs, grasshopper eggs, squash vine borer pupae, fly pupae, and flea beetles. Examine Woody Perennial Plants Examine ornamental and fruit-bearing trees, shrubs, and vines. Pay special attention to plants that were damaged by weather this year or by insects and diseases. Prune out all dead or damaged plant parts, and remove them from your property.