War on Weeds - home remedies to protect your garden

Hi peeps, are you fighting a losing battle against bugs, disease and weeds in your garden? It seems like an inevitable battle these days so I thought I would share a couple of my home remedies I use to help protect my plants.

Bicarbonate of Soda Solution

This is used to control fungal diseases, the vegetable oil in this recipe helps the solution cling to foliage. You can spray it on infected foliage to discourage the spread of fungal diseases but because this remedy is most effective as a preventative, apply it once a week to susceptible plants before disease symptoms appear. Spray each plant completely, covering all leaf surfaces.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons bicarbonate of soda

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 1 cup and an additional 4.5 litres warm water

Directions:

• Mix bicarbonate of soda and oil in 1 cup of warm water. Stir until the soda dissolves completely.

• Add the solution to 4.5 litres of warm water and mix thoroughly.

• Pour solution into a clean spray container and use.

Citrus spray

The rinds of lemons and other citrus fruits contain citrus oil, a sweet smelling substance that is harmless to people and pets but repels many insects. Because some plants are sensitive to citrus oil be sure to test first by spraying a leaf with this solution then wait to see if damage occurs.

Ingredients:

• 2 lemons

• 1 litre water

Directions

• Grate the lemon rind and put aside

• Bring the water to a full boil

• Add the rind to the water and remove pan from heat

• Cover and let stand at room temperature for 24 hours

• Strain into a clean spray container and use

Hot Pepper and Garlic Spray

Insects find these popular seasonings distasteful. They can be used to make a spray, which can be applied as often as needed to repel pests. Always handle hot-pepper spray carefully and never use it to repel animals, because capsaicin the active ingredient in pepper is a powerful eye and skin irritant.

Ingredients

• 6 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed

• 1 tablespoon powdered cayenne pepper

• 1 litre warm water

Directions

• Place the prepared garlic and the pepper into a 2 litre container

• Add the water to the container

• Stir the mixture vigorously for about a minute. Cover the container, set in a place without direct sunlight and let stand for two days.

• Strain into a clean spray container and use.

XX

LG