Boiling Garlic to Protect Plants Naturally – A Simple Homemade Solution
Garlic isn’t just a kitchen staple, it’s also a powerful natural remedy for protecting plants. By boiling a few cloves of garlic, you can create an effective natural disinfectant for plants that helps keep pests away, promoting healthier growth in your garden or balcony. This method is simple, cost-effective, and contains no harsh chemicals, making it a great alternative for environmentally conscious gardeners. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your own garlic-based plant spray.
Ingredients and Preparation
Ingredients:
5 cloves of garlic (unpeeled)
350 ml of water
2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap (optional for added effectiveness)
If you want to make a larger batch, feel free to double the quantities! Remember to adjust the cooking time accordingly if you increase the volume significantly. That way, you’ll have plenty of garlic spray on hand to protect your plants.
Preparation steps:
Gather the garlic: Start by gathering 5 cloves of garlic. There’s no need to peel them, as their skin contains compounds that can also contribute to the effectiveness of the solution.
Boil the garlic: Place the garlic cloves in a saucepan and pour in about 350 ml of water. Bring the water to a boil. Once it starts to boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the natural properties of the garlic to infuse into the water.
Cool and strain: After boiling, turn off the heat and let the mixture cool completely. Strain the liquid to remove the garlic cloves, leaving a potent garlic solution.
Optional step: Add dish soap: For an even stronger repellent effect, mix in 2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap once the solution has cooled. This addition helps the garlic solution adhere to plants more effectively.
Transfer to Spray Bottle: Pour the cooled solution into a clean spray bottle, ready for easy application.
Application
Shake and Spray: Before each use, shake the bottle well to ensure the solution is thoroughly mixed. Spray directly onto the soil around the base of plants or onto leaves to help drive away pests. The natural compounds in garlic act as a deterrent to many common garden insects.
Indoor Use: This garlic solution can also be used indoors, as its natural ingredients are harmless to pets and humans. Simply spray it around windowsills, doors, and flower pots to keep small insects, such as ants and aphids, at bay.
Benefits of Garlic for Plant Care
Natural Insect Repellent: Garlic contains sulfur compounds, which are responsible for its strong odor and effectiveness as a natural pest repellent. Pests like aphids, beetles, and mosquitoes are deterred by the scent of garlic, making it an ideal ingredient for a homemade plant spray.
Fungal Prevention: Garlic also possesses natural antifungal properties, which can help protect your plants from fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew or black spot.
Safe for the Environment: Unlike chemical pesticides, this garlic solution is completely natural and safe for the environment. It won’t harm beneficial insects like bees or ladybugs and poses no risk to children or pets.
Affordable and Easy to Make: With just a few basic ingredients, most of which you probably already have at home, you can create an effective plant treatment without the cost of store-bought chemicals.
Tips to improve effectiveness
Regular application: To maintain its effectiveness, spray the garlic solution on your plants every few days, especially after rain, which can wash it away.