PLEASE HELP!!! My Vegetable Plants Have Black And Red Splotches On It, And I Don’t Know What It Is, Maybe The Neem Oil That I App

Question

lied? My vegetable plants were growing well, but I was having some issues with bugs, so I tried researching for organic pesticides to use on them that didn’t hurt the environment. I saw many sites that suggested neem oil, so I tried it 2 days or so ago, and now my plants have black and some red spots on them. I researched for a solution, but I just don’t know. I didn’t think it was mold or fungus, but it looks more like burn marks. Is there a way to save them? I washed the leaves off this morning with water to hopefully reduce some of the oil if that is the problem. Just to add some extra details, the only things I have given to my plants recently are some horse manure a two days ago, as well as a mixture of borax, sugar, and water that I put on bread to attract ants in the garden and draw them away from the plants. I saw this suggested on several websites, but I don’t think the borax touched the soil or the plants even, and it was about a week ago that I did this. Additionally, about a week and a half ago, I sprayed my plants with a solution of soap, water, and oil that was suggested by many websites to kill bugs. I think it may have been the neem oil that caused this, but please please help with any knowledge you have!!!!!!

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Answer 1

Yes, that and the compounding of several treatments on top of each other.

It is very important to follow all instructions on neem oil use. Using neem oil in direct sun will cause this for most plants, and some plants cannot be sprayed with it at all!

Unfortunately, this spot will need a total overhaul. Start with testing for pH and nutrient issues, then treat with fungicides and solarize the spot after amending according to the soil tests. Once your soil has been corrected, you can begin planting again. This will likely be next season.

Here are some articles that will help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/the-importance-of-soil-for-an-organic-garden.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/projects/how-to-solarize-garden-beds-to-eliminate-garden-pests-in-the-soil.htm