AMES, Iowa – As the crisp air of autumn settles over Iowa and the trees begin their colorful transformation, gardeners are turning their attention to one of the most important, and often overlooked tasks of the season: fall cleanup. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach experts advise that neglecting the garden now can promote more disease problems next spring.

During this time of year, plants that are affected by pathogens often display unsightly foliage. “If infected plant debris is left to linger through the winter, gardens become an overwintering site for disease-causing pathogens like fungal spores,” said Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture extension specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Problems like powdery mildews, rose black spot and tomato early blight can overwinte

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