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Organic pesticide spray

KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
in Fruit & veg
We don't use any pesticides at all in our garden, but our new allotment is overun with pests that we didn't know existed.  Reluctantly we are considering using an organic pesticide spray on certain veg.

Can anyone recommend anything that is safe for humans and nature, if there is such a thing?
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  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    I think the short answer is sadly no. Maybe identify each pest in turn and look for best way to deal with it. It’s been said many times but if you work with nature you can overcome most issues. Any pesticides could kill beneficial creatures and if you destroy the prey the predators won’t come to feed. It’s not the quick answer but it’s very rewarding in the long run. Also do you want to eat something that you know has been sprayed with poison? 
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    If it's safe for nature it won't kill the pests, which are, after all, nature. 


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    I thought that might be the case.  The main culprit is Asparagus beetle and larvae, there's nothing else we would probably use anything on.  They are a bugger to spot and remove, not helped by the fact that our Asparagus bed is netted, and the netting is only about 1.5 metres high.  We'll just have to resort to picking them off then, unless anyone has any other suggestions for dealing with this specific pest.
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    The downside of netting your crops is that you're excluding the birds which might deal with your pests if they had the chance.
  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286
    edited June 2020
    What pests specifically?

    There is a lot one can do with fleece and netting before reaching for the chemicals.

    I grow my own veg, only thing that goes near it is seaweed feed and horse poop. If I wanted pesticides in my food, I would buy it ready poisoned from the supermarket.

    I'm a huge advocate of a 'diversity area' read as 'wildlife garden' or 'purposely untidy corner of an allotment'. My real world experience is by providing it nearby a veg plot, i have very few problems with pests at all. Particularly the most common and regularly annoying ones.

    Nature itself is the ultimate controller of pests, but one needs a balanced ecosystem, which means suitable habitat for a wide variety of suitable helpers. (Pond, log piles, compost heaps and overgrown areas are all a very good start). Only thing I have any problem with is flea beetle. Though I could keep them off the radishes with insect netting. As it is some radishes are spoiled, most are fine apart from the holes in the leaves.

    It goes without saying that seeing a lot more creatures when working in the garden is a huge pleasure also. Poisoning their food is not going to encourage them to hang around and form populations, which really can keep things under control.
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Totally agree @GemmaJF and within an allotment it should be fairly easy to achieve with some collaboration across the site. For the rest of us with just urban gardens...not exactly easy to let parts go wild. Mind you my main problem is randy squirrels digging into pots and newly planted beds 😂. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    I should have perhaps more accurately phrased my question.  I don't want to kill any insects, just discourage them, in the way that some people use a garlic spray to deter slugs.  Pesticide is not what I am looking for, more a spray that will taste or smell terrible to Asparagus beetle in particular.

    Agree with your sentiments @josusa47 but if we didn't net anything we would lose almost all of certain veg (via birds, deer, etc).  @GemmaJF It's mainly Asparagus beetle that we want to deal with.

    Our plot is very wildlife friendly, we have a pond, a sizeable amount of flower beds with pollinator friendly plants, and lots of nettles, comfrey, borage, etc.  We also feed the birds.  Many of the older plotholders find our flower beds and bird-feeding most amusing, as they are only interested in their crops.  We make our own Comfrey feed, and use vast quantities of horse manure, have a 3 bay composting system (which includes our home waste and cardboard).  A local foodbank also delivers large quantities of vegetable and fruit peelings to our plot twice a week, for the compost bin.  

    Our Asparagus bed is new, with young plants, and we want them to get established and build up size for future years.  Hence my question about how best to deal with them.


  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    Collaboration on an allotment?   :)  If you only knew how political it is.  We have a huge battle with weeds on neighbouring plots, which then spread to ours.  Ours is relatively weed free, as we are there 7 days a week.

    We find that most plotholders are either rarely there (and have weed-covered plots), or are using weedkiller, which we hate to see being used next to our plot.  

    I feel I have painted a picture of myself as a nature-hating fiend, but it couldn't be further from the truth......apart from Squirrels and Pidgeons.......oh, and local cats that s**t in our veg patch.  
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    In light of the deer problem, I withdraw my comment!  I've made two attempts to grow asparagus; only one plant has ever returned the following year.  I feel your pain.
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    Sorry I was obviously preaching to the converted. Are there nematodes for asparagus beetle? That’s something I have tried in the past for slugs with great success. It’s not perfect but seems one of the most wildlife friendly options? 
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