Like most home gardeners I don't like to use chemicals, especially when it comes to growing vegetables. Below is the recipe I use on my vegetable plot. I found a similar recipe here - I have added the cayenne pepper for a little more oomph. I make a fresh batch up as I need it - it's quite potent so you really need to keep it away for little hands.
The bigger the crops get the more I use it. July was a busy month for me and my garden got a little neglected. I didn't spray at all and it really showed. Holes everywhere!
I've been told it's also good to push a couple of leaves down to the ground to give easy access to any bugs/snails/slugs that want a munch - and this will hopefully keep them happy enough to leave the other juicy leaves of your vegetables alone. Sneaking around at dusk is also a good time to hand pick off any slugs and snails. Otherwise go in hard with the chilli and garlic bug spray with some good doses (I spray around the base of the plants) this bug spray should help with keeping the unauthorised munching a little more at bay.
It's not a cure all but it absolutely makes a difference.......I can see the difference when I don't use it.
Give it a go and let me know how you get on or do you have your own spray recipe you would like to share?
Natural chilli and garlic bug spray
3-4 garlic gloves
2 teaspoons of chilli flakes (or fresh chilli peppers if you have them)
1 teaspoon (heaped) of cayenne pepper
1/2 cup of liquid detergent
1/2 cup of boiling water
Water to top up your spray bottle
Steep all the ingredients in the freshly boiled water. Add to your spray bottle and shake. Let it settle for about 10 minutes then top up with water and shake a little more.
Happy spraying!
Thanks for this, I've been having this issue atm
ReplyDeleteIt's been so cold, I am surprised anything is even growing at the moment! Thanks for the homemade spray recipe, I've tried garlic spray but still found that nothing is more effective than picking off the culprits by hand, which is fine for my small plot. I will definitely try your recipe out this summer. Spraying the chilli on the surrounding soil might even stop the neighbourhood cats from doing their business in my garden too - I can only live in hope.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great recipe for natural bug spray; thanks for sharing! xxx
ReplyDeletewill def try this.. the bugs always rip our tomatos to shreds over summer.. and I wont use sprays :/
ReplyDeleteGood idea! X
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip, and the recipe too! Definitely going to give it a go on those pesky slugs.
ReplyDeletexx
Rock on! I have not tried this one but I am down to try!! Pinning! Happy week pal! Nicole xo
ReplyDeleteI will have to make a batch of this up and try it. Thanks for the recipe. Hope your garden isn't getting too battered by the weather we are having.
ReplyDeleteIt is a great idea!! I shake chilli powder on the holes in the grass where the squirrels dig and it keeps them away too! xx
ReplyDeleteDo you think this would work with caterpillars? I'm assuming you mean detergent that you wash dishes with?
ReplyDelete