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[mint&spuds]

hello to all a small bit of advice is needed does boiling a few onions then using the cooled water as a spray realy work against pest ? many thanks.

[LindaB]

Hello Mint&spuds,

sorry i cant help, but welcome.

I only joined last night but everyone is very friendly i'm sure someone will be able to help you.

[stella]

Hi and welcome. Not heard the onion one before, but alot of these organic things do work, its natures way

[Florence Fennel]

Hello and Welcome to the Vine. Which pests were you thinking of spraying?!

[Bigmallly]

Can't help you with your question M&S...... but welcome to the vine.

[mint&spuds]

we had a nice sunny day yesterday and i noticed lots of small white fly buzzing about already.

[Bigmallly]

I found this whilst trawling the net.

Pest Control

Now that our vegetables and flowers are planted and thriving, it’s prime time for the hoards of insect pests and diseases to invade our little piece of paradise. Here are a few tips to help you through this scary attack.

To deter cucumber beetles, try planting a few radish seeds in each hill of cukes. Let it grow alongside the cucumbers all season. The strong smell or taste of the radish seems to keep the beetles away.
Homemade garlic or hot pepper sprays can protect your young seedlings from flea beetles and aphids. To prepare, combine finely chopped garlic and onions (or hot peppers) with water, let it steep for a while, then strain out particles. Spray vulnerable plants often, especially after rainfall. You can also sprinkle ground cayenne or other hot ground pepper directly onto leaves to deter chewing pests. This is most effective in the morning when leaves are moist with dew.
Control powdery mildew and fungi on garden crops by combining one cup of milk with nine cups of water and spray onto affected plants twice a week. Researchers believe the milk has a direct germicidal effect as well as indirectly stimulating the plants to become more resistant. Let us know how it works if you try it.

[northepaul]

Hi Mint&spuds welcome to the vine
I use either a garlic spray (which works fine until it rains) or a chilli one but be warned this one doesnt want to get on your skin.
Onion should work in the same way, as it should deter insects in the same way...??

[ginger ninger]

What a great combination....Mint & Spuds...welcome to the vine, hope you have a lovely stay with us.

[piskieinboots]

Welcome M&S - did you see what I did there

[Nicos]

Hi there- and a warm welcome from me!!!

[BUFFS]

welcome to you,this is the first time i have heard of anybody using the onions,my grandad used it 45/50 years ago,along with milk/vinegar mix(dont know the mixture rates) that he used on some of his plants, a man ahead of his time,would use no chemicals at all (just ***** fluid to clean his pots..my job aged 6/7) ,he said chemicals stayed in plants,and he was right...

[Jeanied]

Welcome to the vine, Mint and Spuds - I've heard of garlic water as pest control but not onions - do let us know when you try it out!

[gilwrig]

did someone say vinegar?? I tell you it does everything

[northepaul]

welcome to you,this is the first time i have heard of anybody using the onions,my grandad used it 45/50 years ago,along with milk/vinegar mix(dont know the mixture rates) that he used on some of his plants, a man ahead of his time,would use no chemicals at all (just ***** fluid to clean his pots..my job aged 6/7) ,he said chemicals stayed in plants,and he was right...

Wow how interesting, milk and vinegar together- I would have never thought of that!!