Uses for Neem Oil in the Garden

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Ever heard of neem oil but weren’t sure what it was? Uses for neem oil in the garden are bountiful, and it can be a big help to gardeners everywhere.

Pests, every garden has them, and if I can avoid spraying my garden veggies with poison or toxins, I’ll go that route. One of the benefits of gardening in your own backyard is knowing exactly what touches the food you feed your family. And knowing how to use neem oil is something to keep in your gardening arsenal when pests are trying to take over, but you still want to maintain a natural approach to pest control. (Here are my natural cabbage worm maintenance tips.)

 

Uses for Neem Oil in the Garden

Neem oil is an effective organic product that has many uses, one of which is safely controlling pests in the garden. This oil has been used for centuries as a natural pesticide, but it’s also found in other products like soap, toothpaste and cosmetics. (I’ll bet you’ll be checking labels after reading this.)

Neem oil is harvested from the seeds and leaves of the neem tree. This tree is native to India, but can be found growing in most tropic and sub-tropic regions. It has many different applications, but let’s look at some of uses neem oil has in the garden, and how learning how to use neem oil in the garden can be a game changer. 

Kills Pests

Garden pests, we all have them and should learn how to properly identify them. Not all bugs are pests, but if you have identified intruders that are destroying your plants, spray neem oil on garden plants to kill pests at any stage of their life cycle. This organic oil will kill pests in the egg, larva, or adult stage of life. It will smother adults pests and disrupt hormones so developing pests cannot continue through to their next stage of development. This is obviously beneficial for halting a pest infestation in your garden. I’ve been using it lately to clear out a Japanese flea beetle attack. Here’s MIGardener talking about using neem oil in his garden against aphids:

Safe For All Plants and Pollinators

Neem oil kills all pests on all plants. There’s no need to have several different types of insecticides and pesticides; neem oil will do it all and is safe for use on all food producing plants. And if sprayed in the correct concentration (see your bottle), then it’s also safe for pollinators such as honeybees and butterflies. Isn’t it nice to know you have can have something on hand when pests strike?                                                                             

Above and Below

This organic oil will kill above ground and below ground pests. It’s very effective at killing nematodes, which live in the soil and destroy plant roots. Neem oil works by preventing nematode larvae from hatching. (Not sure if you have nematodes? They’re microscopic, so look for small balls all over the roots of you plants when you remove them from the garden. Most states have a nematode lab where you can have your plants sent for testing. Planting marigolds can also help to deter nematodes.)

Earth Worm Safe

While neem oil kills soil-dwelling nematodes, it won’t harm beneficial earthworms. Neem oil actually encourages earthworm activity, which in turn improves garden soil structure.

Organic Fertilizer

When neem fruits, kernels and leaves have been pressed, there is a ‘cake’ left behind known as a neem cake. When used in the garden, these cakes will act as an organic fertilizer and help control nematodes, white ants, and grubs.

Excellent Fungicide

Neem oil kills a wide range of fungi that are common to garden plants. Use the oil to control powdery mildew, black spot, rust, tip blight and scabs on your indoor or outdoor garden plants.

Indoor Plants

It’s safe to use on indoor garden, herb and flowering plants. It’s also safe to use on tender seedlings in greenhouses, so don’t limit its use to only outdoors. 

Safe for Pets

Neem oil is non-toxic and bio-degradable. It’s safe for use around pets and wildlife immediately after spraying, and it remains safe after being absorbed into plants and soil. The oil degrades quickly after a rain and won’t cause a toxic build-up in soil or nearby waterways.                                                                                                                                           

How to Use Neem Oil in the Garden

Neem oil is not a traditional, chemical-laden insecticide, thankfully. Because it is an oil, and not poison, it can take neem oil longer to “work.” For those expecting neem oil spray to instantly kill any pests you see, you may be disappointed. The pests ingest the neem oil, and it may cause them to stop eating and/or stop laying eggs, but the results are slower than chemical poison. But knowing how to use neem oil and how long the process takes gives you a safe alternative to chemical-laden poisons that can harm other beneficial insects. 

For application, spray your neem oil insecticide before pollinators are out and about. This would be in early morning hours or in the evening, and this reduces the risk of spraying any beneficial insects that visit your garden.

I’d love to know if you’ve used neem oil and how it has worked for you. Have a great week, and happy gardening!