Keep plants growing vigorously. Rapidly growing vegetables can better tolerate or outgrow insect and disease damage, but they also quickly use up available nutrients. Remove weeds which may provide shelter for pests. Dispose of or burn diseased plants, fruits, and vegetables. Composting is seldom thorough enough to eliminate disease- causing fungi and bacteria.
Sunlight also helps to dry foliage and reduce many fungal and bacterial diseases.
Consider using a form of drip irrigation, which keeps foliage dry and helps prevent foliar diseases while using water more efficiently. They also help to prevent rot caused when fruit is in contact with bare soil. When tilled under, organic mulches become valuable soil amendments. Stakes, cages, trellises, and pruning all help to increase air circulation. Delay planting until the soil has warmed to allow rapid germination and growth of the young plants.