Plants Burned By Oil Base Pest Remedy.

Question

I used a cooking oil/dish soap/water spray on my garden to get rid of insects and instead, burned much of my crop. Each day, plants seem to get worse. What should I do now? Affected plants include tomatoes, squash, cucumbers and peppers. Now, my sweet potato plant leaves are turning yellow. I’m worried about my grape vine. Celery is fine!

Answer 1

I would plan on restarting the worst ones. That was an awful lot of oil in that recipe. When you need new gardener advice, you can search our database and also the garden topics at Georgia State University Cooperative Extension. Our information is mostly based on extension publications. Each state has a cooperative extension with agents who give free horticultural advice. Here is how to find the closest to you: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/what-is-extension-service.htm

There are various types of compost you can use if you don't make your own. You will find mushroom compost, chicken manure, cow manure, sheep manure, blood meal, bone meal, fish emulsion. These organic products release nutrients over time. If you need mostly nitrogen for tomatoes, then chicken manure, blood meal and fish emulsion are good sources. Urea is also used as a nitrogen side dressing. Follow directions on packages for application rates. In your case, I would use less since your plants are damaged.

Here are some articles that should help.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/tomato/tomato-fertilizer.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/basics/composting-basics.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/using-fish-emulsion.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/blood-meal-fertilizer.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/tomato/tips-for-growing-tomatoes.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/tomato/growing-tomatoes-guide.htm