Farmers and gardeners can attempt to stem the disease, but infected plants cannot be saved. Since the fungus survives in soil and crop debris, any movement of dirt can result in instances of clubroot in new areas and should be avoided unless the material can be verified to be pathogen free. Fungicide treated soil, especially if it is alkaline, can help prevent clubroot, but often with limited success. The only sure method of avoiding the disease is to not grow susceptible plants in an infected area for at least ten years, which is the maximum amount of time that the fungus can survive in soil.