Monday 14 July 2014

Homemade Remedies for the Veggie Patch



                          Raw Foodies love their Veggies so here are a few tips for growing healthy plants at home.


How to Stop the Bugs From Eating a Vegetable Garden thumbnail
Some insects, such as ladybugs, are beneficial to your garden.




Insect infestations can be a common problem in vegetable gardens. Some bug species will eat the fruit produced by your plants, while others weaken the plant by chewing the leaves and stems or even the roots. To stop bugs from destroying your vegetable garden, gardeners can use a combination of ideas without resorting to pesticides & chemicals. 











With companion planting  we often avoid too many problems in the veggie patch from marauding insects & bugs; Gardening Australia has many recommendations but to give you a basic idea, here are a few examples.
The picture is from the same Resource.

PlantGood NeighboursHow it worksBad Neighbours
AppleNasturtium, ChivesNasturtium climbs tree and is said to repel codling mothPotatoes
ApricotBasil, Tansy, AsparagusBasil and tansy are said to repel damaging insects
AsparagusApricot, Basil, Chives, Comfrey, Lovage, Marjoram, Parsley, TomatoesBasil and Parsley are said to improve flavour. Onions and garlic release substances reducing growth.Garlic, Onions
Balm (Lemon)TomatoesAttracts bees, said to enhance flavour and growth
BasilTomatoesBasil said to repel flies and mosquitoes
Beans (climbing)Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Corn, Lettuce, Lovage, Majoram, ParsleyBeetroot, Chives, Garlic, Gladiolus, Onions, Sunflower
BeetrootBeans (bush), Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kohl Rabi, Lettuce, Lovage, Marjoram, Onion, Peas, Potato, Spinach, SilverbeetBad Neighbours roots release substances reducing growthBeans (Climbing), Tomato
BorageSquash, Strawberries, TomatoSaid to deter tomato worm and improve tomato flavour and yield. Said to increase strawberry yield.
Brassicas (Incl: Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower)Beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Chamomile, Coriander, Cucumber, Dill, Lettuce, Lovage, Marjoram, Marigold (French), Mint, Nasturtium, Pea, Potato, Rosemary, Sage, Tansy, Thyme,TomatoZinniasDill attracts a Cabbage White Butterfly controlling wasp. Nasturtium disguises and repels aphids. Sage repels the Cabbage White Butterfly. Zinnias attract ladybirds, which we love! Bad Neighbours roots release substances reducing growthGarlic, Rue, Strawberry
Capsicum, ChilliCarrots, Onions, Tomato
CarrotsBeans, Chives, Coriander, Cucumber, Leeks, Lettuce, Lovage, Marjoram, Onion, Pea, Radish, Rosemary, Sage, TomatoBad Neighbours roots release substances reducing growthDill, Celery
CeleryCabbage, Chives, Dill, Dwarf Beans, Leek, Lovage, Majoram, Onion, Pea, Sage, Spinach, TomatoBad Neighbours roots release substances reducing growthCarrots, Parsnip, Potato
ChamomileCabbage, OnionDeters flies and mosquitoes. Strengthens neighbouring plants
ChivesApples, Cucumbers, Lettuce, PeasPrevents Apple Scab. Said to deter aphidsBeans
CucumberBasil, Bens, Borage, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Corn, Dill Kohl Rabi, Lettuce, Lovage, Marjoram, Nasturtium, Parsnip, Pea, Radish, Sunflower, TansyBad Neighbours roots release substances reducing growthPotato, Sage, Strongly Aromatic Herbs
DillBrassicas (Incl: Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower)Dill attracts a Cabbage White Butterfly controlling wasp
EggplantBeans, Spinach
GarlicApricot, Cherry, Mulberry, Parsnip, Peach, Pear, Raspberry, Rosemary, RoseDeters aphids, especially from roses and raspberry. Repels Cabbage White ButterflyBeans, Cabbage, Peas, Strawberry
Kohl RabiBeetroot, OnionBeans, Tomato
LeekCarrot, Celery, Lovage, Majoram, Onion, Parsnip, StrawberryBeans, Peas, Parsley
LettuceAchillea, Beans, Beetroot, Cabbage, Carrot, Chervil, Coreopsis, Cucumber, Lovage, Marjoram, Marigold (French), Onion, Parsnip, Pea, Radish, Strawberry, ZinniaAchillea, Coreopsis & Zinnia attract pollinators and offer shade for lettuceParsley
Marigolds (French)Numerous vegetables, including tomatoKills root knot nematodes and eel worm
MelonRadish, Sweet Corn
MintCabbage, TomatoDeters pests such as Cabbage White Butterfly, ants and fleas
NasturtiumCabbages, Fruit Trees, Radishes, ZucchiniFlowers repel aphids and codling moth. Cabbage white butterfly is attracted to this plant, and will seek it out over cabbages
OnionBeetroot, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Chamomile, Leeks, Lettuce, Lovage, Marjoram, Parsley, Parsnip, Silverbeet, Strawberry, Summer Savory, TomatoSmell of onion said to deter numerous pestsOnions release substances reducing growth of Bad NeighboursAsparagus, Beans, Gladioli, Peas
ParsleyAsparagus, Sweet Corn, TomatoSaid to improve flavour of asparagus and tomato
PeasBeans, Beetroot, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Cucumber, Lettuce, Lovage, Marjoram, Parsnip, Potato, Radish, Sage, Squash, Sweet CornBad Neighbours roots release substances reducing growth. Sweet Corn has traditionally been used as “living stakes” for peasChives, Garlic, Onion, Shallots
PotatoBeans, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Corn, Eggplant, Horseradish, Lovage, Marjoram, Marigold (French), Nasturtium, Parsnip, Peas, Sweet Alyssum, Sweet Corn, WatermelonSweet Alyssum and Marigolds attract beneficials and suppress weedsPotatoes release substances reducing growth of Bad Neighbours. Horseradish should be planted at the corners of the patchApple, Celery, Cherry, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Raspberry, Rosemary, Squash, Sunflower, Tomato
PumpkinBeans, Cabbage, Eggplant, Peas, Radish, Sweet CornBad Neighbours roots release substances reducing growthPotato
RadishBeans, Carrot, Chervil, Cucumber, Sweet Corn, Cucumber, Lettuce, Lovage, Marjoram, Nasturtium, Parsnip, Pea, Spinach, Sweet CornRadish is said to attract leaf miners from SpinachHyssop
RaspberryBlackberries, Potato, Tomato
RosemaryBeans, Cabbage, Carrot, SageSaid to deter Cabbage white butterfly. Attracts beneficials
SageBrassicas (Incl: Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower), Carrot, RosemarySage repels the Cabbage White ButterflyCucumber
SilverbeetBeetroot, Cherry, Lavender, Lovage, Marjoram, OnionBasil, Wormwood
SpinachCelery, Eggplant, Strawberries
SquashBorage, Lovage, Marjoram, Nasturtium, Peas, Sunflower, Sweet Corn, TansyPotato
StrawberryBeans, Borage, Chives, Leek, Lettuce, Marigold (French), Onion, Pyrethrum, Sage, SpinachBrassicas (Incl: Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower), Brussel Sprouts, Garlic
SunflowerApricots, Cucumbers, SquashBeans, Potato
Sweet CornBeans, Cucumbers, Lovage, Marjoram, Melon, Parsnip, Peas, Potato, Pumpkin, Radish, Squash, ZucchiniSweet Corn has traditionally been used as “living stakes” for peas. Bad Neighbours roots release substances reducing growthCabbage
TomatoAsparagus, Basil, Celery, Borage, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Chives, Dill, Gooseberry, Grape, Hyssop, Lovage, Mariglod (French), Marjoram, Mint, Nasturtium, Onion, Parsley, Parsnip, TurnipMarigolds said to repel white fly and root knot nematode. Bad Neighbours roots release substances reducing growthApricots, Beetroot,  Fennel, Kohl Rabi, Potato, Rosemary, Sweet Corn


                                    Some find mixing every plant species together helps prevent infestations


There are a few other possible considerations if all else fails.
This may seem like a rather strange idea, but when insect pests invade plants it is worth thinking about what emotions are running in regard to the garden. If this is happening for me, I often find I am over zealous in looking after the plants & am aware that I have great expectations of a fine crop up the track! You probably know the blurb.....Grow... Grow.... Grow... as you water & tender the crop......in other words a Demanding Attitude is simply pouring out of me; after all, think of all the hard work I have put in !!
On the other hand,whenever I throw seeds to the wind so to speak & forget about the results, knowing there will be plenty for the rabbits & insects & anyone dropping by as well as our family, abundance seems almost inevitable!! Try looking at your emotions, as you may be surprised at the result.
If this isn't working for you, it's always good to have an alternative & great to only resort to home-made remedies where possible, because they're generally safer for the environment and more economical. However  "Be careful of these solutions around children, as they should not be ingested. Don't store them in soft drink bottles and make sure you keep them out of reach of children.

Here are some simple suggestions;

Scale and Mealybugs: Make an oil preparation that suffocates them by mixing four tablespoons of dishwashing liquid into one cup of vegetable oil. Mix one part of that mixture to about twenty parts of water, put it in your sprayer and spray the affected plants.

Aphids, Caterpillars and Other Insects: Add two tablespoons of soap flakes to one litre of water and stir thoroughly until completely dissolved (this is quicker in warm water). There is no need to dilute this further, just spray it on as is.

Black Spot Fungicide: In Queensland, Black Spot's a major problem with roses, but this fungicide mixture works miracles. Add three teaspoons of bicarb soda to one litre of water. Don't get carried away with the bicarb soda because if you make it too strong, it'll cause all sorts of problems. Add a few drops of either dishwashing liquid, or fish emulsion to help the solution adhere to the leaf more effectively.

Fungicide: Mix one level teaspoon of bicarb soda into one litre of water. Add one litre of skim milk and a pinch of Condy's Crystals which you can get from a produce agent (someone that supplies to horse owners). Shake thoroughly.

Grasshopper, Caterpillar and Possum Deterrent: Mix a cup of molasses into one litre of water and spray it over new foliage.

Nematodes: Add half a litre of molasses to two litres of water and spread over one and a half square metres of affected garden area.

All-round Insecticide: Chop four large onions, two cloves of garlic, and four hot chillies. Mix them together and cover with warm, soapy water and leave it to stand overnight. Strain off that liquid and add it to five litres of water to create an all-round insecticide.

Pesticide: Crush a whole bulb of garlic and cover with vegetable oil. After two days, strain off the liquid, add a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid and use one millilitre of concentrate to one litre of water.

Herbicide: Add a cup of common salt to a litre of vinegar. After it's dissolved, brush it directly onto weeds. Remember, it's not a selective weed killer. It'll kill anything it touches so be very careful how you use it.

Predator Attractor: Predators that prey on pests are great things to have in the garden. Lacewings are particularly desirable because they consume aphids and many other pests. To encourage them into your garden, dissolve one teaspoon of a yeast based sandwich spread in water and spray it all over the plants.

Even the most common foods and products can affect you and your plants. It is good practice with any homemade remedy to first spray a test patch on the target crop and wait 24 hours before checking the sprayed foliage for damage, before proceeding.

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