Gardening Etc Newsletter The Home Of Outdoor Living Thank you for signing up to . You will receive a verification email shortly. There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again. Dealing with garden pests is frustrating, but learning how to use neem oil on plants might ease your stresses somewhat, particularly if you prefer to target pests in an environmentally friendly way. Whatever type of gardener you are, it’s hard not to feel disappointed when you find bugs wreaking havoc among your dahlias and tomatoes. But many gardeners claim that neem oil, often found in skincare products to treat acne and eczema rashes, makes a fantastic natural insecticide for garden plants. The neem tree (Azadirachta indica) is part of the mahogany family and is native to tropical areas of India and Africa. All parts of the neem tree contain an oily substance, which helps the tree defend itself against attack from insects and grazing animals. The oil is most concentrated in the seeds, and has been used in India for centuries, by gardeners and farmers watering plants with a neem oil solution, to control plant insects and diseases. You'll need around 1 fluid ounce of neem oil per gallon of water (Image credit: Mohammed Anwarul Kabir Choudhury / Alamy Stock Photo) Learn how to use neem oil on plants in 5 easy stepsYou will need:
Neem oil can be used on indoor plants too (Image credit: Amlan Mathur / Alamy Stock Photo) Tips for using neem oil correctly on your plants
Use a pressure spray bottle for covering larger areas (Image credit: EyeEm / Alamy Stock Photo) What plants can I use neem oil on?You can use neem oil on plants of many varieties, including indoor plants, fruits and vegetables. Some plants are a little sensitive to neem, which can cause scorch on the leaves – so avoid using it on herbs, spinach, lettuce, peas and kale. Many insecticide manufacturers give a harvest crop interval time, which tells you how long you should wait to harvest the produce after spraying it. Neem oil doesn’t come with this information so it’s best to err on the side of caution and wait a week before picking produce to eat. So if you're watering plants while away and want to use neem oil, this could give you plenty of time for it to work before you return from your vacation. If at any point you need to pick crops less than a week after using the neem oil, just ensure you wash the produce thoroughly. Ethne Clarke, contributing editor to Hartley Botanic USA (opens in new tab)says, 'I use neem oil throughout my garden, including on edibles, and have never had any adverse effects. I spray a diluted mix early in the season to get rid of aphids and cabbage worms. My garden is alive with all the desirable fauna I could wish for.' You can buy ready-use neem plant mixture, however, it’s usually cheaper to make your own. Diluted mixtures are better for the environment – too high a concentrate can harm bees.
Spraying the soil directly allows the neem oil to be taken in by the plants' roots and impact any feeding insects (Image credit: EyeEm / Alamy Stock Photo) Is neem oil safe to use on plants and crops?The active ingredient in neem oil, azadirachtin, acts as a repellent and reduces the insect’s ability to feed as well as grow and lay eggs. 'In contrast to pyrethrins (which work on contact with the insect), neem oil works by ingestion, so is somewhat safer to beneficial insects such as bees or ladybirds', says Dr Joanna Knowle, Senior Advisor at the Environmental Protection Agency, NZ (opens in new tab). In the environment, neem oil is washed off plants by rain and rapidly broken down. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (opens in new tab) (EPA) considers neem oil to be 'low toxicity' – ingesting trace elements is unlikely to cause any harm to humans, birds and animals. However, it is toxic to fish and other aquatic animals so should not be directly disposed of in water or used on your pond plants. In the UK, the Soil Association (opens in new tab) say that neem oil is permitted for certified organic farmers to use. Whitefly is one of many pests which can be treated with neem oil (Image credit: blickwinkel / Alamy Stock Photo) What bugs does neem oil control?The range of plant-eating insects and pests that neem oil can control is one of the huge benefits of learning how to use neem oil on plants. It can get rid of aphids, and control whitefly, mealy bugs, spider mite, cabbage white butterflies, leaf miners, snails, slugs, gnats and thrips. It can kill these soft-bodied pests at any stage of their lifecycle, although it’s always best to catch pest infestations early before they take hold. Neem oil can also control fungal diseases like powdery mildew, black spot and scab. Can you spray neem oil directly onto plants?Gardeners use neem oil on their houseplants and outdoor vegetable gardens as an insecticide, fungicide, and miticide. The environmental protection agency (EPA) considers neem oil safe for indoor plants and use around pets.
How often should I spray neem oil on my plants?Neem oil takes time to work. It might be two days or more before you see a reduction in damage or fewer live insects. You may need to reapply your neem product every three or four days, especially after a rain, to completely get rid of your target pests.
What is the ratio of neem oil to water?Neem oil is most commonly sold as a concentrated solution which should be mixed at the rate of two tablespoons per one gallon of water for foliar (leaf) application.
How long do you leave neem oil on plants?Spray the leaves, stems, and soil with your ready-to-use neem oil spray. (It should have that clarified hydrophobic neem oil to trap bugs instantly.) Let sit for two to three days.
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