I love gardening and like pretty much all aspects of it. However what I do
not like is when various pests and diseases attack my plants. It is a
conflicted point for me however as I do like to garden organically with nature and not
generally use pesticides. Many of them will hurt beneficial
insects as well somewhere down the line and as I am allergic to many things
I have to be careful too.
Nature usually has a way of balancing things out and every pest has a
predator and they need the other insects so I prefer to leave the garden to
sort itself out and use nothing.
However, I see my beautiful plants this year in our very hot, humid
summer with little rain really stressing the plants and leaving them
vulnerable to disease. Some have suffered and are covered in fungal diseases
and attacked by aphids and red spider mite and other creatures that I know will
eventually kill the plants.
Then I know that I have a choice...
Either allow nature to fully take its course and risk the loss of plants
that are dear to me, some given by my late parents, or take some action that
has the least environmental effect.
So I researched that Neem oil can be a good solution if used safely and with some caveats.
It is antibacterial and
antifungal so that will help with the fungal diseases. It also has
insecticidal properties which disrupt the feeding and breeding cycles of
some insects. I tried it this year for both issues and I have had some very good
success!
How To use Neem Oil In The Garden
If it is used specifically and correctly Neem oil is not toxic to wildlife
and pets, but you need to use it properly and carefully.
There are two ways
to use Neem oil and I would suggest that you use them both if facing a
fungal or insect attack that nature is not solving by herself.
Never use it in the daytime or in sunlight, this is bad for the plant and bad for the beneficial insects and predators in the garden.
1. For Drenching The Soil.
First of all give the plant a good soaking of water
until it runs out of the base. The reason you water before hand is so
that the soil gets wet, if you pour it on very dry soil it will just run
straight through and you will waste the mixture. Then mix about two
tablespoons of Neem oil with about a gallon of water and a small amount of
mild liquid soap or washing up liquid. Shake it all up, then pour it around the base of the soil. If you don't need that much just adjust the ratios accordingly, it does not have to be too precise.
2. Spray Leaves
Then next you need to spray the leaves with the same mixture but in a spray
bottle. Any spray bottle will do but it must be clean and not contaminated
with any other chemicals. It is best to buy a new clear spray bottle and clearly label it. Spray
the neem mix on the stems of the plant and both the top side and underside
of the leaves. You can spray any left over on the soil around the
plant.
The mixture needs to be applied about once a week. However if it rains then
you need to reapply as soon is convenient once it has stopped raining. Watch
for any signs for the disease or attack returning. When you think it is all
clear then stop the applications. I have found I need to do it about three
times before I can be fairly certain of success.
You can use pure Neem oil and do the mix yourself, which is what I usually
do, or for convenience you can buy a ready made Spray. I have listed both
options in this article.
Neem Oil as Organic Insecticide
Neem oil disrupts the feeding and breeding cycles of many insects. I am
always a bit conflicted as I dislike interfering with natures processes, but
there are times when I do take the decision to use this more organic
method. I only use it against those that are overwhelming the plant
and causing significant damage or will kill the plant.
If they are just a nuisance but do not cause any real damage I leave it. If it is just the temporary look of the plant that is affected I leave it to nature to sort it out. I prefer to leave natures predators to
it.
If I have to intervene to save the plant, it is said to be effective against many insects considered pests. My main experience with neem oil is with aphids. Neem oil is in my experience most
effective against Aphids which this year attacked my Lupins while I was away
and came back to an almost decimated plant.
It is best if you first cut away the affected leaves and stems and
dispose of them.
I sprayed with the neem mix three times over 3 weeks and while the older leaves
and stems died, the younger and new growth came through
healthy.
It is also in my experience effective against Whiteflies and spider mites.
It acts on their hormones preventing them from laying eggs. I found for me
the magic number is to apply neem oil mix three times about a week apart, both to the leaves and the soil.
Neem Oil As A Fungicide
Neem oil helps with fungal diseases including powdery mildew, rust and
black spot.
It assists to prevent fungal spores from germinating and spreading which is especially helpful if you grow plants closer together to help prevent widespread infections. It also usefully provides a protective layer or barrier on the sprayed
leaves.
I am happy to use Neem oil under safe conditions for this purpose. In my
experience within two or three weeks the situation is under
control.
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How To Use Neem Oil Safely And What To Avoid.
For Plants
-
Some plants are very sensitive to Neem oil. It particularly
affects those with delicate leaves and is best to avoid. If you do use it on these plants, use a
significantly diluted mixture, do a small patch test and watch for a few
days.
- Prevention is always better. Ideally, and this goes for all plants really, before any issues arise, try companion
planting with plants that are highly scented and more resistant to the
bugs that like to attack. So try Lavender, Garlic, Onions, perhaps
Rosemary as companion plants to those you find are vulnerable to pests.
- Never apply in the daytime as it can and will burn and scorch the plant. Wait until dusk.
- Check over the plant for any beneficial insects before you spray,
particularly ladybirds or lady bugs or hoverflies might be on an infested plant. They
are predators and do an excellent job of eating pests, so if there are a
lot of ladybirds and hoverflies on the plant they may well do the job for you. In that
case I would personally leave them to it.
- However if there is just one ladybird or
the plant is clearly overwhelmed with pests, simply remove the one or few ladybirds
first. It is another good reason for not spraying in the daytime, wait
until the beneficial predators and bees and butterflies are have left or
are much less active.
For Humans
While generally not harmful to humans there are some important
caveats.
- Store it out of reach of children or pets in a safe place.
-
Do not have any contact with Neem oil if pregnant or breastfeeding.
-
Always wear gloves and protective glasses when preparing and spraying the
mix as it is irritating to skin and eyes. As I have extremely
sensitive skin, I cover up all my skin when using it and wear sunglasses
or protective glasses that wraparound.
-
Do not use or prepare the neem pure or mixture near young children or pets, as it is
possible they may inhale, lick or eat some of it when it is still wet,
which is not advised.
For Nature And Animals
-
While pretty much non toxic to much of nature like birds, bees and mammals
once dry, it is somewhat toxic to fish and aquatic life. So we must never
spray near a pond, stream, water barrel or other water source. However
Neem oil is not known to contaminate ground water or run off and is
biodegradable.
-
Do not use neem oil during the day as this is when pollinators and many
predators are around on your plants. Bees and butterflies and other
beneficial insects are at danger when it is still wet. Bees can carry it back to a nest and it
could cause harm. Once it is dry the risk is no longer present. Hence the need to use only at dawn or dusk when they are much less
likely to be around.
-
Personally I only use at dusk because you must use it so that it dries
before any beneficial insects and pollinators are active. Most of my
issues happen in the summer and as it is light so early the bees are often
up before I am! Once it dries, in about an hour, it is then harmless to
bees, butterflies etc.
Storing and Using Neem Oil
It must be stored in a dark, cool and safe place as if it is exposed to sunshine or
bright light and heat it will go off.
If you are mixing it yourself only make the amount you
need to use on that day, as the home mix goes off quite quickly once made
up.
So while I do not really like to use anything on my garden I will sometimes
use a Neem oil mixture. I have worked hard to get a good balance and usually
have plenty of predators to balance out the pests. Most of the time I allow
nature to take its course with predators and prey in the garden and using companion planting.
However, if
one of my treasured or sentimental plants is suffering an infestation or
disease and the natural predators and processes cannot get it under control,
I very carefully use Neem oil in moderation and as little as possible. In my
experience it is an effective and economical product
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Annie
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