Protect Your Garden Herbs with Natural Pesticides

Most gardeners shiver at the mere mentioning of the word pesticide. It is because chemicals are the first thing that crosses your mind when you hear or read something about plant spraying. Did you know that you have a safer and cheaper option for getting rid of pests? O, yes, natural herbicides is a two word answer that might put the gardening smile back on your face.

Protect Your Garden Herbs with Natural Pesticides

Brilliant Orange Citrus Oil and Soap Spray

My no. 1 natural herbicide is made of water, Orange citrus oil and soap. I use 3 tablespoons of liquid soap, 30 ml of Orange citrus oil and 4 liters of water. Then I shake a newly obtained blend for a couple of seconds. Spraying my plants with this solution has showed to be an extremely effective treatment against pests like annoying ants and slimy slugs.

Orange citrus oil is just one option here. You can also use Rosemary oil, Thyme oil or Mint oil instead.

Speaking of herbs, I’ve conducted a very interesting research on howto grow rosemary in humid climates and here is what I’ve managed to find out.

Awesome Garlic and Chili Peppers Soap Spray

Garlic is a gift from heaven for various human health problems. But, guess what? Mixed with chili peppers it’s also a very powerful natural herbicide.

This is how I do it – before bringing the plants indoors for the winter I put 10 garlic cloves, 5 hot chili peppers and 2 cups of water into a blender and give it a good stir. Then I strain the mixture, add 1 tablespoon of liquid soap and stir again.

For 1-liter spray bottle I use 2 tablespoons of concentrate and add water to fill the rest of the bottle. It is important to know that you need to make a few days break between sprayings. I’ve noticed that this herbicide really works for my plants.

I would love to hear your experiences with natural herbicides!

Top Tips to Help You Grow Rosemary in Humid Climate

Did you know that rosemary plays an important role at European wedding ceremonies? This interesting, old wedding custom of decorating guests at a wedding allegedly originates from ancient Greek and Roman mythology. Some believe that the custom was dedicated to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, beauty and eternal youth.   

In my little garden heaven of plants, rosemary is considered the queen of herbs. It is a perennial herb with a wonderful smell and assertively pine-like fragrance. The problem with Mediterranean herbs like rosemary is that they have to struggle to survive in hot, humid climates.

Grow Rosemary in Humid Climate

Fight for Your Rosemary’s Right

Rosemary originally comes from a Mediterranean climate area. It means that it prefers its native climate, although it’s quite hardy in cooler climates. Unfortunately, humid climate is something that rosemary doesn’t like very much.

You probably wonder how to win this game? Well, you should know that rosemary is suitable for growing outside and inside on windowsills and balconies. My advice is to grow it indoors in pots.

Please note that rosemary prefers full sun, but in warmer climates it will welcome a partial shade. Rosemary thrives in fertile, moist, well-aerated, fast-draining potting soil. It requires regular watering. I’ve used fish emulsion as food for my rosemary and it works just fine.

Common Rosemary Pest Problems and Possible Solutions

Rosemary is known as a strong and relatively pest-free herb. It’s naturally protected from the invasion of ants and mealybugs. However, pests such as rosemary beetle, froghopper, leafhopper and carnation tortrix moth sometimes affect rosemary.

Ways of dealing with this nasty pests slightly differ. First of all, keep an eye on your rosemary and act without hesitation. Physical removal is the best solution for getting rid of rosemary beetles and carnation tortrix moths. For leafhoppers place a yellow sticky trap above the plant and brush the foliage with your hand. Froghoppers appear in the larval stage and they can be simply washed off with a strong jet of water.

Do you have problems with growing rosemary? Let me know and I’ll try to help!