It's now that time of year to clean up the garden site. Whether one is trying to grow flowers or vegetables every growing season one should practice garden sanitation.

Garden pest can migrate to the garden site but most come from within. These pests survive on crop debris, alternate host like weeds, or in the soil.

Always make sure crop debris is removed from the garden site. Composting is a way to destroy most garden problems if done correctly. Then the compost can be added back to the garden soil to keep it loose and workable. Composting will not control diseases like tobacco mosaic virus or amaranthus seeds. Remember 160˚ is the compost temperature we are striving for to control most problems.

Weeds should never be allowed to go to seed. Why, because you just increase the problem with the plant re-seeding itself. One should also pay attention to problem weeds that may be near by.

Weeds such as nutsedge is very difficult to control once established.

Tools and equipment should be cleaned and be very careful not to move problems into the garden. Problems like adding soil infested with Bermuda grass.

A little effort each year will keep the garden site productive and help keep gardening enjoyable. So practice garden sanitation the reward is worth the effort.