Neem Oil Can Be A Very Effective Method of Organic Pest Control In the Garden.

This is an extract of an plant common in South Asia and India that is used by many organic and sustainable gardeners to help control a wide variety of garden pests. You can buy neem oil at most garden centers, and it is sold as a concentrate which needs to be mixed with water, so a bottle should last you a good long time.

Keep in mind that the best method of pest control is to keep your plants healthy and strong, but if you have an infestation of a particular pest, natural insecticides like neem oil can help save your plants from too much damage.

The article below shares some tips for using neem oil, and what types of insects it helps to control.

Finding safe, non-toxic pesticides for the garden that actually work can be a challenge. We all want to protect the environment, our families and our food, but most non-chemical products available have limited effectiveness. Neem oil insecticide is everything a gardener could want. What is neem oil? It can safely be used on food, leaves no dangerous residue in the soil and effectively reduces or kills pests, as well as prevents powdery mildew on plants.

What is Neem Oil?

Neem oil comes from the tree Azadirachta indica, a South Asian and Indian plant common as an ornamental shade tree. It has many traditional uses outside of the insecticidal traits. For centuries, the seeds have been used in wax, oil and soap preparations. It is currently an ingredient in many organic cosmetic products too.

Neem Oil Uses in the Garden

Neem oil foliar spray has been shown to be most useful when applied to young plant growth. The oil has a half life of three to 22 days in soil but only 45 minutes to four days in water. It is nearly non-toxic to birds, fish, bees and wildlife, and studies have shown no cancer or other disease causing results from its use. This makes neem oil very safe to use if applied properly.

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How to Apply Neem Oil Foliar Spray

Some plants can be killed by neem oil, especially if it is applied heavily. Before spraying a an entire plant, test a small area on the plant and wait 24 hours to check to see if the leaf has any damage. If there is no damage, then the plant will not be harmed by the neem oil.

Apply neem oil only in indirect light or in the evening to avoid the product burning foliage and allow the preparation to seep into the plant. Also, do not use neem oil in extreme temperatures, either too hot or too cold. Avoid application to plants that are stressed due to drought or over watering.

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Read the Full Article At GardeningKnowHow.com.