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All Seasons Gardening Tips
All season gardening provides many benefits. The right type of gardening in your routine, you can save money on your grocery bill.
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Did you know that home gardeners have been utilizing homemade insecticidal soap for an extended period? Historically, fish-oil soap was the prevalent solution for pest control. However, in response to the growing demand for environmentally friendly products, eco-conscious consumers are now opting for all-natural alternatives.
Remember, not all pests are bad. Here are some beneficial insects, good bugs for your garden.
Some individuals hold the misconception that mixing soap in water and spraying it on plants possesses a secret pest control method. However, this practice is ineffective. A powerful stream of water can effectively dislodge insects from your garden. The purported “soap” used in this “insect killer” soap may have some beneficial properties, but its effectiveness in this manner is questionable.
Use a true soap, like Dr Bonner’s Castile soap and not a dish detergent or dish soap – more on recommended soaps later. The insect killer power comes from the fatty acids contained in the soap.
The fatty acids work effectively killing soft-bodied insects like aphids, mealybugs, leaf piercing spider mites, thrips, scale insects and whiteflies. These fatty acids dissolve or remove the garden insects cell membranes and their natural protective waxy coatings, causing death from excess water loss.
Potassium salts in the soaps are the most useful in making a spray to control plant pest. One of the most well-known potassium based insecticidal soap spray products is Safer Insecticidal Soap, which controls many plant bug pests found on houseplants, vegetables, and fruit. I like to use Neem oil for plants. Another favorite is Diatomaceous Earth.
Although commercial garden soaps are available for pest control, it is possible to create an effective homemade insecticidal soap at a low cost. Dishwashing detergents intended for household use may not be suitable for this purpose. The selection of the appropriate soap is crucial for achieving optimal results.
Aim for 2% soap solution:
For a 1 Gallon Solution:
For a 1 Quart Solution:
Shake well!
There are some great variations for homemade insecticidal soap here on WikiHow.com
You’ll always find variations in any homemade recipes or home-brewed formulas calling for more or less of some component. Two consistent fundamentals in any of the various home-brewed insecticide formulas: stinky or hot tasting ingredients make the best additions.
Cayenne pepper, red pepper, garlic, powerful herbs and extracts, cider vinegar and even a cooking oil.
No “set formulas” exist, this is all trial and error. What works for one may not work for someone else.
The rates below are all for 1 gallon of spray mix:
Caution Regarding Garden Pest Control: Thorough Learning, Observation, and Testing are EssentialCertain spays can cause substantial damage to delicate plant foliage. Therefore, it is imperative to conduct a test spray in a confined area prior to application. If the spray’s potency exceeds expectations, dilution is necessary. In instances where the spray concentrate appears excessively harsh, consider reducing the mixture’s concentration to a 1% solution.
If you examine the label, most commercial insecticidal soap sprays are formulated in a 1% solution. However, it is important to note that a diluted solution may be more gentle on plants but may have a reduced effectiveness. When outdoors, consider selecting plants that are not susceptible to insect infestation, even nearby weeds. You may discover an unexpected ingredient that could serve as the new component you have been seeking.
All season gardening provides many benefits. The right type of gardening in your routine, you can save money on your grocery bill.
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