Save Money with a Versatile Plant: The Neem Tree
May 14, 2010 – 11:18 am by MarinaHanes
When it comes to saving money, it definitely helps to educate yourself on versatile plants. The neem tree (Azadirachta indica) has many uses, but it’s commonly used as an insect spray. If you’re combating bugs in your garden, you might want to consider using neem, which will ward off the harmful insects and leave the beneficial ones behind. But before you start using neem oil, it’s important to know what it can do.
- Neem oil doesn’t eradicate insects within seconds. It works through the insects in a process and makes them forget to eat and unable to lay eggs. So it’s best to spray it regularly every night to protect your crops.
- Although this oil doesn’t kill beneficial insects such as honey bees, you can still kill them if you thoroughly coat them in the oil. Any type of oil sprayed on an insect can suffocate. So what you need to do is spray the oil in the early morning and late afternoon when honey bees and other good bugs are less active. This will give the oil a chance to dry on the plants.
- Neem is effective, but it doesn’t mean you have to over do it and coat your plants. It’s best to stick with the lowest amount, because certain plants may be more sensitive to it or the glistening oil will reflect the sunlight and cause burning.
- It’s possible for neem oil to harm aquatic organisms when in large quantities. So if you have a lake or pond near your garden, avoid spraying directly into the water and also use a small amount because leaching can occur.
So how do you find neem oil? Since this ingredient isn’t registered as an insecticide, you will have to look for leaf polish instead. Or you might just have to ask if they sell raw neem oil.
This summer you can use this safer ingredient to ward off harmful bugs, and you will reap the benefits when you harvest your ripe crops.
