August 1, 2019

Update On My Homemade Garden Bug Spray

I just had to show you this. Here's what happened to my collard plants in less than two weeks after applying my Homemade Garden Bug Spray.

New growth in the midst of the old cabbage moth eaten leaves.

Close-up of new collard growth.

A picture speaks louder than a thousand words!

The collards were fall planted and pretty much neglected once the weather turned warm. The bed is resting this summer, so all I did was add more leaf mulch after pulling the onions. I have barely watered it and just left the collards to die and decompose on their own. They were still hanging in there at the end of July and looking pretty bad due to cabbage moth larvae damage. When I made up a batch of the spray I dosed them good. I sprayed them well for two days and reapplied after it rained a few days later.

The plant in the photo has the most spectacular results, although the others are recovering as well. I rewarded them with a good watering!

In case you missed it, you can find the recipe for the spray here.


19 comments:

Chris said...

Those established plants which come back, can be really efficient at growth before the end of season. We had cabbages come back, with proliffic, but smaller heads on the stems. Had it going for several years even. Great supplimentary chicken and guinea pig food. We even tossed the leaves in some stir-fries.

Glad to see yours have responded to the bug spray. They'll have one more flush of growth, before the end of season.

Leigh said...

Chris, yes, most of them with smaller heads. We love collards sauteed, so this is a great late summer vegetable! They'll likely bolt next, so I'm thinking I should collect seed from the plant in the photo. It's a survivor!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

This is great! My collards are always getting eaten by bugs. Thanks.

Ed said...

My kids would be amazed that even bugs like their vegetables.

Kristin said...

Fantastic!! I'm all over this bug spray! Gathering ingredients and going after those cabbage worms this weekend. Thank you for sharing this! And my garden thanks you too.

Kris said...

Wow. Is all I can say is WOW. Terrific results. Now, if someone would please find a homemade spray that I can use on ME, I would be eternally grateful.....

Leigh said...

Kristina, it will help that whole family of plants: collards, cabbages, brussels sprouts, kale, anything that cabbage moths like.

Ed, lol. I'm guessing most kids would be cheering for the bugs!

Kristin, I love it 'cuz it works, is simple to make, and safe to use. That's the perfect combination!

Kris, well, you mean like for mosquitoes? Peppermint essential oil works for those. It needs to be mixed with a carrier oil like olive, but they definitely don't like it and stay away.

Kris said...

Mosquitoes? No no no. I want a spray that will rejuvenate ME. If a collard can turn into countessa, then I want to turn into something a lot younger and better looking too. Mosquitoes I can deal with. Looking into a mirror.....*urk* *sigh*

Mama Pea said...

Couldn't get a better testimonial to the effectiveness of that spray concoction! Your recipe is now in our files. Thank you!

Chris said...

Leigh, that first run of comments was a real coincidence. Chris, Kristina, Kristin and Kris. If Ed changed his name to Kriss-Ed, it would be perfect, lol. ;)

Leigh said...

Kris, I know there are essential oils for that! Just don't know which ones. ;)

Mama Pea, I had good results last year so I had enough confidence to post the recipe. I'm happy to show off such good results! It works for more too, I'm just not sure which pests specifically. I'm expanding it's use this year to find out what else it can do.

Chris, I know! I thought the same thing about all the Ch/Kris...'s. Ed is like the bling that stands out in contrast. :)

Toirdhealbheach Beucail said...

Great proof of concept!

Rose said...

That is amazing results...

Leigh said...

TB, it's what counts, right?!

Rose, I agree, which makes it so much fun to share.

Rain said...

This is very hopeful! I love that you have hard evidence, great job, you must be so pleased!

Leigh said...

Rain, as long as the nozzle on my spray bottle works! It just conked out, which is annoying! None of those bottles seem to last very long.

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

Hi Leigh, Wow! I will have to copy that one and put it in my garden notebook to try! Thank you! Nancy

wyomingheart said...

Awesome Leigh! Great to know the success of this spray! In response to your answer to Rain, I purchased 1/2 gallon pump sprayers from tractor supply and they work for little batches of things. I don't know if you have a store close to you but you can get them on line. Thanks!

Leigh said...

Nancy, good to hear from you! This recipe is definitely a keeper!

Wyomingheart, thanks! I appreciate that. I found one recently at Aldi that I haven't tried yet. Mostly I've used the inexpensive quart sprayers because they fit in the door of my refrigerator, but they just don't seem to last.