Welcome back! We hope the last article’s tips helped your garden tackle nutrient deficiencies. This week we have more tips to help you continue to grow your garden, but they will be more focused on natural remedies for specific instances/issues.

For a natural plant pest spray, use neem oil.

This works because neem oil has an active ingredient, azadirachtin, which disrupts insect growth and development. Specifically, it affects the insect’s hormone systems.

Simply mix 1 gallon of warm water, 1 teaspoon plant-safe soap (liquid dish soap), and 1-2 tablespoons of neem oil to deter pests. Spray on the leaves in the evening or early morning to avoid leaf burn. Repeat applications every 7-14 days or after heavy rain.

You can also drench the soil with the mixture instead for similar benefits.

Before moving on, another mini tip is to plant companion plants that naturally repel pests, such as marigolds or garlic in addition to the neem oil treatment.

Banana peels act as a natural plant fertilizer.

Banana peels are rich in nutrients. They are a natural source of potassium, phosphorus, and calcium and contribute to better soil structure and water retention (similar to coco coir!).

They can be used in multiple forms. Add them to your compost pile, directly bury them in the soil near your plants, or soak them and use the water for your plants!

To regrow roses, use honey.

Doesn’t sound possible right? Well, it works! Honey acts as a natural rooting hormone, stimulating root growth and protecting the cutting from diseases. This process is called propagation. It is quite easy to follow.

Simply select a healthy rose stem, cut it at a 45 degree angle, and dip the cut end in raw honey. Then, plant the cutting in well-draining soil, maintain a humid environment, and keep the soil moist.

Once the roots are established, transplant the cutting into a larger pot or directly into the garden.

Use ponvel coco coir seed disks as a seed starter.

These disks do not require any fertilizers and can make any plant grow to bear flowers or seeds to germinate. High-grade coconut coir with low EC and pH levels is washed multiple times to reduce the risk of salt buildup in your soil. They are easy to store since they are compressed.

Add water and soak your disk for at least 10-15 mins before using it to expand to 400gms powder. Plant seeds in the mix and you’ll see seedlings soon!