Field and Garden: Proper watering reduces disease in plants

My African friend taught me a lesson last year about the proper way to water a garden.

I was going down a row of green beans late one afternoon with a watering wand in hand. It was a hot day, and I thought the plants must be enjoying their shower.

My friend came over and stopped me. “Don’t wet the leaves and blossoms,” he said. “Keep the wand low and near the surface of the soil.”

I knew immediate...