Planting and growing a flower bed may be a fun and creative process, but it’s a fair amount of work too. Not only do you go through the motions of choosing the ideal spot for it and selecting the perfect array of plants to live within it, but you also have to maintain it well thereafter. And that maintenance phase often includes the removal of unwanted intruders, such as fungus. Fortunately, it’s fairly simple to get rid of. Let’s learn how.
So, how do you get rid of fungus in flower beds? You can get rid of fungus in flower beds by either digging them out or by purchasing/making your own fungicide. Natural fungicides like vinegar and baking soda work particularly well.
Rest assured, with a consistent approach; it won’t be long before that pesky fungus is gone.
Read on to find out more!
Why Have I Got Fungus Growing in my Flower Bed?
You likely have fungus growing in your flower bed due to excess moisture (due to the weather or overwatering) or due to the soil condition (insufficient oxygen). Fungus could even have been present in the soil before planting.
Fungus may live on your plants, within them, or even in your soil.
Given its all-encompassing nature, it is unsurprising that you’re keen to address it.
But first, it’s useful to understand how it got there in the first place.
Really, there are several potential reasons for its existence.
One of the most common problems is too much moisture.
A particularly rainy season or overwatering of your flowerbed could very well explain its presence.
Additionally, fungus grows well in conditions with insufficient oxygen, such as that of waterlogged soil.
Finally, it’s possible that the fungus could have been present on the soil or plants in your flower bed since their initial purchase.
You just couldn’t see it until it multiplied.
How To Effectively Remove Fungus From A Flower Bed
Be Careful
Step one, be careful!
Remember that you’re aiming to remove the fungus as opposed to the plants around it.
Hence, accuracy is a must, regardless of which of the following removal methods you opt for.
Dig Them Out
If you have fungus growing in the soil of your flower bed, getting hands-on could be the most effective way to tackle it.
For many gardeners, this means digging it out. If you choose to give this a go, be sure to remove the roots of the fungi.
Only then can you be sure that it won’t return anytime soon.
To aid your removal efforts, I recommend that you use a handheld digging tool.
Use Vinegar
If you would rather keep your hands clean, vinegar may be the best way forward.
Vinegar is a long-proven versatile domestic tool, and its uses extend to the garden and beyond.
It’s a fantastic pest killer, a bracket that fungi arguably falls neatly into.
It’s worth noting that this approach is most suitable if the fungus has invaded the plants in the flower bed.
The optimal solution consists of a couple of tablespoons of vinegar per gallon of water.
Once you’ve combined the two in a spray bottle, begin spraying the fungus somewhat relentlessly.
Spray every part of the plant that appears to be contaminated, and with enough resprays, the fungus will be gone within a few weeks.
However, problematically, vinegar is non-discriminatory.
Hence just as it will harm the fungus as desired, it risks harming your plants too.
The chances are that a fungi-riddled plant is already not in the best health, and vinegar may just push it over the metaphorical edge.
Use Baking Soda
Another DIY solution!
A mixture of baking soda (roughly a tablespoon) mixed with a gallon of water is another easily-made solution that could well remove fungus from your flower bed once and for all.
After all, baking soda is a renowned antifungal agent and one that doesn’t just remove it but also helps to prevent it.
And it does so at no risk to the surrounding plant life and general environment in your garden. What could be better?
With Boiling Water
You read that correctly!
In most forms, fungus can usually be killed through the use of boiling water.
Submerging the soil in your flower bed with boiling water will essentially sterilize it.
Hence, goodbye, fungus!
However, the use of such an extreme temperature does threaten to shock the root systems of your various other plants.
So, if you do travel down this path, you’d be wise to dispense the water as precisely as possible and closely monitor your plants for a week or so thereafter.
With Store Bought Fungicides
Alternatively, you could head either online or to your local garden store and pick up a pre-bottled fungicide.
This is a great one to buy from Amazon.
They exist to fight and ultimately kill fungi, so you can generally rely on their effectiveness.
Simply follow the instructions outlined on the bottle, which will most likely be a case of spraying the fungi every couple of days until it’s gone.
Of course, such solutions do traditionally tend to be fairly chemical, so be sure to apply them accurately and avoid your surrounding plants as best as you can.
To limit the harm done, opt for an organic plant-derived brand.
How Long Does It Take To Remove Fungus from a Flower Bed?
It can take as little as minutes (for manually removing fungus – assuming you get it all), all the way to a couple of weeks.
Of course, the more persistent and widespread the infestation, the longer it will take to fully remove.
If you also have a persistent issue with moisture, you may even find the fungus returns even after successful removal.
Things To Consider When Removing Fungus From A Flower Bed
Act Fast
Fungi spread tremendously quickly, so you’ll want to remove them as soon as you lay your eyes on them.
Implement your chosen solution(s) quickly albeit thoroughly to ensure a job well done.
Mentally Prepare
Mental preparation is key!
Whilst it’s likely that the fungus will be gone within a few weeks, you may struggle to remove its entire presence.
Reason being it’s likely that its fungal spores are well distributed across the soil in your flower bed, in turn making the removal of each and every one of them pretty tricky.
Thus, there is a chance that it will still pop up, even after you’ve endeavored to remove it.
The key is to be realistic and not to become disheartened. Instead, be as persistent as the fungi.
Work On Prevention
The best solution is prevention.
Ensure that your soil is well-draining, not too wet and that the plants you buy are in nothing short of tip-top condition.
In most cases, your proactive approach will pay off!
Besides, even if you were able to remove it now, you don’t want any fungi to return to your flower bed!
