What’s going on in your garden (2025)?

[SandwichShortOfAPicnic]

Try on a small section of your crop first.
It may kill the insect, but also damage the plant
(Applies to all sprays by the way)

Thats what concerns me.
I suppose it’s best done after the sun has gone down.
Do you rinse it off after a certain amount of time?

 

[badjak]

I don't with the soap I use, but I haven't used insecticidal soap
General spraying is till just before run off. Rinsing off is uncommon.
Best time to spray is early morning or late afternoon.
But on cloudy days, it doesn't matter much

 

[Barriehie]

So diluted Castile soap is the way to go?

So, best methodology is to apply when it's cool, like less than 85 °F/ 30 °C. If you can't manage that it's okay this just makes the next caveat more important which is to apply when overcast or early in the AM when the dew is on the plant and the sun isn't bright. The shape of the droplet will form a lense so you don't want to burn the leaves. The thing with the soap is it will suffocate soft body insects. I use 3 or 4 pumps in a quart of water and shake well. If adding neem oil, kills other bugs, only about a dropper full and only mix up what you'll use in that application. Neem oil will break down very fast, 2 days or so, so you can't really store it after it's mixed up. UV knocks it right gone but it does kill the bugs before it breaks down.

 

[Barriehie]

I don't with the soap I use, but I haven't used insecticidal soap
General spraying is till just before run off. Rinsing off is uncommon.
Best time to spray is early morning or late afternoon.
But on cloudy days, it doesn't matter much

Yes, all good stuff.

 

[Barriehie]

Neem oil is quite the insecticide. Giggle it and it's all good.

 

[Barriehie]

I got this one from Amazon for I think $8 and I've only used a bit. Like a dropper full per application

 

[Lullabelle]

After all that heavy rain yesterday, this morning is dull and misty.

 

[TastyReuben]

this morning is dull and misty.

Funny, that also describes me this morning.

 

[Herbaceous]

I’m a bit late this year, but I finally started my pepper seeds (jalapeno and cayenne) today. I tried soaking them in water overnight to see if that speeds up the germination any (they usually take forever).

Last frost isn’t until mid-late May here, so I haven’t been doing much outside - way too early. Don’t want to disturb the insects that are still asleep in the leaf litter and hollow stems.

 

[rascal]

Coriander and basil are growing the best this autumn. Winter is fast approaching

Russ

 

[badjak]

That reminds me..
I gotta put coriander seeds on my list..
Still a bit too hot here though

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Coriander and basil are growing the best this autumn. Winter is fast approaching

Russ

Not here it isn't.

Could do with rain though big time.

 

[Lullabelle]

Yesterday was hot and sunny, rain and strong wind overnight, today is cold, dull and windy so our plants are very confused right now.

 

[Barriehie]

I over watered my seedlings and they're a bit yellow. This was two days ago but they're getting greener.

 

[SandwichShortOfAPicnic]

Wouldn’t mind a bit of input on this order before I pull the trigger. It’s for planters, hanging baskets and a large pot -
Gravel for a thin layer in the base.
Perlite for water retention.
Tomorite compost for soil.
Bark for the top to help with water retention.

Is that list ok?
Do I need to line the hanging baskets with something?