Using Neem Oil on Tomato Plants: An Easy, Step-by-Step Plan

Using Neem Oil on Tomato Plants: An Easy, Step-by-Step Plan

I love growing tomato plants and harvesting all kinds of tomatoes. But over the years, a wide variety of destructive pests–from aphids and leaf-footed bugs to hornworms and spider mites–have done their best to undo all of my hard work. I’m averse to chemical insecticides, so I’ve recently turned to neem oil–which contains the naturally…

Will Neem Oil Kill Pollinators or Beneficial Insects?

Will Neem Oil Kill Pollinators or Beneficial Insects?

Neem oil is a widely-known natural insecticide that contains a chemical compound (azadirachtin) that’s been shown to kill, damage, or repel over 200 different insect pests. But does neem oil kill or injure helpful pollinators? Does it hurt other beneficial insects? Neem oil won’t hurt pollinators—unless it’s directly sprayed on them—since bees, wasps, and moths…

Is Neem Oil Safe on Fruits and Vegetables? Food for Thought

Is Neem Oil Safe on Fruits and Vegetables? Food for Thought

I’ve been using neem oil for years, but when I was first introduced to it, I wasn’t sure how it compared to other store-bought insecticides: Was it safe to use in my garden? Could I spray it on fruits and vegetables? Derived from neem trees (Azadirachta indica), neem oil is a natural, organic product that’s…

What Bugs Does Neem Oil Repel and Get Rid Of?

What Bugs Does Neem Oil Repel and Get Rid Of?

If you’ve already heard about neem oil, then you likely know that it’s a natural insecticide prized by practically all organic gardeners. Its primary chemical compound–a naturally occurring chemical called azadirachtin–wreaks havoc on bugs’ biological, hormonal, and reproductive systems. But what insects does it kill? And how does it kill them? Although neem oil can…

How Can I Make Neem Oil More Effective? My 10-Step Process

How Can I Make Neem Oil More Effective? My 10-Step Process

Neem is is an incredible natural insecticide that kills off a variety of destructive garden pests. But did you know that there are several steps you can take–and important mistakes you’ll want to avoid–to make your neem oil spray as effective as possible when it comes to killing bugs? Let’s start with some general guidelines,…