THE dreaded white butterfly will be in evidence soon.
WOW — what a difference a few days of the sun shining makes. The soil is warming up and things are really starting to wake up in the garden after winter. If you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to get your veggies in. Remove all weeds, then add a nice layer of compost to your soil and dig it in. I like to add sheep pellets too. When I plant my veggies, I also add a sprinkle of general fertiliser in each hole to give my plants an extra boost. As the weather gets warmer, the little white butterflies and the caterpillars become a pain for gardens so I like to have a small spray bottle of organic spray made up and hanging in my garden so it is ready to use at the first sign of them. A couple of sprays to consider are: Eco-neem – is a registered organic insecticide for the control of insect pests on fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, lawns and in potting soil. Effective against chewing insects including caterpillars, black beetle larvae, citrus leaf miner, bronze beetle, grass grub beetle, leaf roller, potato beetle and sucking insects including aphids, whitefly, psyllid, scale, mealybugs, mites and thrips. Yates Natures Way – Yates Nature’s Way Veggie Insect Spray is a fast acting broad spectrum insecticide based on natural, low toxic and organic ingredients. It is effective against soft bodied insects such as whitefly, aphids and mites and can be used on fruit, vegetables and ornamental plants. It controls insects by disrupting their cuticle layer, which is a barrier that normally protects insects from damage and water loss. Insecticidal soap works via contact action, so it is important to achieve good coverage of the insects themselves, including insects hiding underneath foliage. Yates Nature’s Way Veggie Insect Spray is biodegradable, has no residual effect and has a low impact on most hard-bodied beneficial insects such as ladybirds. DIY Sprays: Garlic Spray – To make a basic garlic spray, take two whole bulbs (not just two cloves) and puree them in a blender or food processor with a small amount of water. Let the mixture sit overnight, then strain it into a quart jar, adding one-half cup of vegetable oil (optional), one teaspoon of mild liquid soap, and enough water to fill the jar. To use this homemade insecticide, use one cup of mixture with one quart of water and spray liberally on infested plants. Vegetable Oil Spray – To make a basic oil spray insecticide, mix one cup of vegetable oil with one tablespoon of soap (cover and shake thoroughly), and then when ready to apply, add two teaspoons of the oil spray mix with one quart of water, shake thoroughly, and spray directly on the surfaces of the plants which are being affected by the little pests. The oil coats the bodies of the insects, effectively suffocating them,as it blocks the pores through which they breathe.
