Non-Toxic and Biologically Safe (Bio-Degradable) Soaps and Oils
These super heroes can often be the first, best and last line of defense needed in the garden.
These products work to coat the leaves of plants and protect them from predators as well as killing the 'bad bugs' while leaving the beneficials unharmed, so long as they are used properly. For example, any oil and soap based spray, such as our favorite, outlined below, should be sprayed in the early morning or in the evening when beneficial insects are least active. They should also be spot applied and not sprayed in massive amounts for the same reason: if they actually land on and come in contact with the pollinators, for instance, they can suffocate them. We do not want to unintentionally kill off our foot soldier helpers. The best way to avoid this is to spray when they are not around. Early mornings are great for this, as by the time they arrive on the scene the oil/soap mixture will have dried on the leaves, doing its job while being completely harmless to the beneficial insects as they arrive to do theirs.
The true super heroes in this category, in our estimation, are:
These products work to coat the leaves of plants and protect them from predators as well as killing the 'bad bugs' while leaving the beneficials unharmed, so long as they are used properly. For example, any oil and soap based spray, such as our favorite, outlined below, should be sprayed in the early morning or in the evening when beneficial insects are least active. They should also be spot applied and not sprayed in massive amounts for the same reason: if they actually land on and come in contact with the pollinators, for instance, they can suffocate them. We do not want to unintentionally kill off our foot soldier helpers. The best way to avoid this is to spray when they are not around. Early mornings are great for this, as by the time they arrive on the scene the oil/soap mixture will have dried on the leaves, doing its job while being completely harmless to the beneficial insects as they arrive to do theirs.
The true super heroes in this category, in our estimation, are:
Neem Oil and Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Soap
Dyna-Gro Pure Neem Oil
Mixing one tablespoon of each in a 1 quart spray bottle will provide good protection and defense against whiteflies, aphids, mites and other garden eating pests; and the peppermint soap has the added benefit of causing minor confusion in the mind of the insects who ingest it by eating the leaves of sprayed plants. All the while, doing no harm to those insects who are engaged in eating other insects. Perfect. Neem oil, on the other hand, is one of nature's super heroes in its own right. The product of a seed from the neem tree, neem oil, particularly the cold pressed, organically harvested variety, is anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and attacks certain garden pest fungi like powdery mildew and anthracnose, black spot and others which can cause serious devastation in a garden or orchard. On top of that it is providing enzymes, protein, and nutrition for the plants.
Because it is a very fatty acid containing oil, it does need some form of soap or surfactant agent to help it stick to the leaves of plants and work, and that is why we combine it with Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap. Pure castile soap is completely bio-friendly, and together these two create a powerhouse of garden defense that simply cannot be beat.
You will also find that Neem oil is nearly miraculous at other things as well; such as killing fleas, and Neem leaf and bark have a history going back thousands of years in India as a major medicinal ingredient in many Ayurvedic practices. So, be sure to take the time to get to know Neem, as you may find that it is a superhero in ways we have not even touched on here.
Last but certainly not least, research has also shown that Neem oil in concentrations used by gardeners is harmless to bees and is actually beneficial to earth worms. Putting two of our most important allies in good hands.
This is reason enough to consider our first two super heroes the next time you need an emergency line of defense in the garden.
Because it is a very fatty acid containing oil, it does need some form of soap or surfactant agent to help it stick to the leaves of plants and work, and that is why we combine it with Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap. Pure castile soap is completely bio-friendly, and together these two create a powerhouse of garden defense that simply cannot be beat.
You will also find that Neem oil is nearly miraculous at other things as well; such as killing fleas, and Neem leaf and bark have a history going back thousands of years in India as a major medicinal ingredient in many Ayurvedic practices. So, be sure to take the time to get to know Neem, as you may find that it is a superhero in ways we have not even touched on here.
Last but certainly not least, research has also shown that Neem oil in concentrations used by gardeners is harmless to bees and is actually beneficial to earth worms. Putting two of our most important allies in good hands.
This is reason enough to consider our first two super heroes the next time you need an emergency line of defense in the garden.
Resources
Neem Oil Uses - Learn more about the many uses of Neem oil