Common Pests and Diseases for Herbs Grown in Travis County, Texas

Travis County, Texas is a great place to grow herbs, but it's important to be aware of the pests and diseases that can affect them.

Cotton root rot

is a fungal organism, Phymatotrichum omnivorum, that can infect more than 2,000 different plants. Symptoms of this disease include all the leaves suddenly turning brown and the plant dying quickly. Soilborne diseases can also affect one plant or an entire area, usually appearing when daytime temperatures are warm.

Another common disease is brown spot, which is characterized by circular spots up to several meters in diameter that usually appear from fall to early spring. These spots enlarge and, when they are a quarter of an inch in diameter or more, you can see concentric rings in the shape of a porthole in the center of the affected area. In addition to diseases, there are also pests that can affect herbs grown in Travis County.

Worm seeds

were popularly grown by more than 240 farmers in Carroll County, northwest of Baltimore, in the 1930s and 1940s.

It is not known if this is also common in the Lake Travis area, but it is worth noting. If you are looking to grow herbs in Travis County, it is important to be aware of these pests and diseases. Local nurseries, arborists, Travis County Master Gardeners, the Texas AgriLife Extension A&M, and the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory are good places to get advice and diagnostics. You may also want to contact the Lower Colorado River Authority or the Travis County Park System to learn more about the local flora in the area, as well as any local regulations related to foraging.

Finally, it is important to note that some herbs may be toxic if consumed in large quantities.

Wormwood seeds

(also known as Jesuit tea or Mexican tea) should be enjoyed only occasionally and discouraged for young children and pregnant people.