
Using Genetics to Avoid Spraying in the Vegetable Garden
From Growing Greener by Tom Christopher
April 1, 2026 · 29 min · Episode 356
About this episode
This episode discusses the importance of selecting disease-resistant cultivars in vegetable gardening to reduce pesticide use, featuring insights from plant pathologist Nicole Gauthier.
Selecting disease-resistant cultivars is an essential tool for avoiding the use of pesticides in the vegetable garden. Plant pathologist Nicole Gauthier of the University of Kentucky explains how to identify cultivars appropriate to your region and your garden, and why "tolerance" may serve you as well as "resistance."
People in this episode
Host: Tom Christopher
Guest: Nicole Gauthier
Topics covered
- genetics
- disease resistance
- vegetable gardening
- pesticide alternatives
- plant pathology
Keywords
- disease-resistant cultivars
- vegetable garden
- pesticides
- plant pathologist
- cultivar selection
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: University of Kentucky
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