Nature & Agriculture contest : Agricultural Diary Game – A Gardening Lesson Learned

Last spring, my family and I decided to transform our backyard into a colorful oasis. We chose roses—elegant, fragrant, and timeless. Excitedly, we planted several rose bushes, carefully selecting sunny spots and enriching the soil with compost. But soon after, we faced a challenge we hadn’t anticipated: pests and diseases.

Looking back, one phrase keeps echoing in my mind: "We planted rose plants and applied pests for diseases." Of course, that’s not what we meant to do—but in a way, it’s exactly what happened. Instead of preventing problems, our well-intentioned actions unintentionally invited them.



Here’s how: In our eagerness to promote growth, we overwatered the plants and applied a nitrogen-heavy fertilizer. While this encouraged lush foliage, it also made the roses more appealing to aphids and spider mites.

We crowded the plants too closely, reducing airflow—creating the perfect humid environment for fungal diseases like powdery mildew and black spot.

We learned the hard way that gardening isn’t just about planting and feeding—it’s about balance. Roses need the right conditions to resist pests and thrive.

So, we adjusted our approach. First, we spaced the plants properly. Then, we introduced natural solutions: spraying diluted neem oil weekly, releasing ladybugs to eat aphids, and using organic fungicides at the first sign of disease. We also switched to a balanced fertilizer and watered at the base to keep leaves dry.

Over time, the roses began to recover. New blooms emerged, strong and vibrant. The experience taught us an invaluable lesson: in gardening, prevention is better than cure. You can’t just plant and hope—you must observe, adapt, and nurture wisely.

Today, our rose garden is blooming beautifully. More importantly, we’re gardening smarter. We didn’t apply pests and diseases—we learned how to keep them away. And that’s the real reward of growing something with care.

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I am inviting @limon88, @woka-happiness, and @yenny47
to take part in this contest.
Thank you for reading ❤️

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