I am looking forward to consistently warmer weather so we can plant our heat-loving crops such as tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, cucumbers and melons. However, what I am not excited about are the increased number of pests and diseases that come along with the warm weather.
I have noticed an increase of insect and pest activity in my garden over the past growing seasons. This year, my goal is to be more vigilant in protecting my garden. Therefore, my plan is to utilize more plant covers and netting throughout the seasons to guard against various pests, as well as consistently implement neem oil treatments as a line of defense against many insects and diseases.
Prepping my garden with arches, row covers and netting will prevent much of the wildlife from feasting on my veggies. However, over the years, insect infestations left untreated were a huge challenge. Many of those insects overwintered or laid their larvae in the soil. Along with fungal diseases lying dormant in the soil. I am going to focus on combating those issues as I prepare for planting.
Before adding anything to your garden, do your research.
Neem Oil is a natural pesticide, insecticide, and fungicide that comes from the seeds and fruit of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica). Azadirachtin is one of the active compounds in neem oil which works by disrupting the feeding, growth, and reproduction of many soil dwelling pests including nematodes. As those organisms’ breakdown, they improve the soil structure by adding micronutrients back into the soil.
As I prep my beds, I plan to spray and drench my soil with a neem oil treatment; this will help reduce the infestation of fungus, gnats, nematodes and other larvae, along with helping to suppress fungal diseases and some soil-borne pathogens. Throughout the growing seasons, I will continue neem oil applications and keep a treatment log.
It is so important to know that applying neem oil incorrectly can harm your plants. To prevent leaf burn, it must be diluted correctly and not applied too often, or on a sunny day. It is also toxic to some plants, damaging the leaf pores affecting photosynthesis and oxygen release, as well as causing phytotoxicity (plant toxicity) stunting plant growth due to some neem oil products having impurities and crude fractions.
When used properly, I feel that the row covers/netting and neem oil will be an effective defense against the many insects, diseases, and pests that visit my garden yearly. Adding too much of anything can throw your garden out of balance such as continuously closed row cover inhibit pollination whereas too little neem oil isn’t effective and too much can harm your plants. Find the balance that is right for protecting your garden from pests.
To learn more about other methods of protecting your garden plants from pests and diseases, go to your local extension office.
Happy Gardening!
Shana
