We accidentally used the Garden Safe DE (not the Food Safe DE) on our garden. Specifically, we used it on basil, squash leaves, and beans. Can we still eat the vegetables of these plants and the basil leaves, if we wash it thoroughly? or are we better off just writing them off this season? We did not get any (as far as we know) on the actual vegetables. Also, does the DE wash off after a while? Thank you!
NO! Do not consume the produce that is contaminated with non food safe Diatomaceous Earth.
This link will help you.
We have had excessive rains for past few days. My basil plant leaves are turning brown and dropping. Weather forecast says that there won't be sunlight for a week. Is it a good idea to repot in a dry pot?
It can be a good idea. Or at least make sure that the container has plenty of drainages holes. It would not want to be completely dry, but it would also not want to be completely saturated.
You may have to bring it inside on days that it is supposed to rain without stopping, but usually this will keep fresh water moving through the container as long as it has good drainage. A plant should never be left to sit in water, so if there are no holes, then stagnant water will certainly cause an infection.
You can try using peroxide at a ratio of 1 part peroxide to 3 parts water, or 1/4 of the water/peroxide mix should be peroxide. This can help to clean it up some, but sometimes it is easier to start fresh with a new plant, since they grow VERY fast.
This article will give you more information on the care of basil: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/basil/how-to-grow-basil-plants.htm
i need a printable set of directions to grow basil from a cutting i have no idea how to find a ssite without a ton of p hotos i just wannt a printable site thank you
You want to take a nice green end or tip, without flowers, about 10cm/4inches long. Strip the leaves off the bottom 5cm/2inches. Put it in a clean glass or jar, with about 2cm/1inch of water. Put the jar on the windowsill where it gets some sunlight. Wait. Change the water every 2 days. Wait. It will start to make roots. Wait. Keep the water going. Wait. When the roots are about 2cm/1inch long, plant it. Put on some jazz and dance in celebration.
I have a basil plant that has been growing well for about 2 months, without any problems. Recently it has developed dark spots on the leaves that eventually turn into holes in the leaves. Can you tell me what the cause is & what can be done about it. I have been using the leaves of this plant for seasoning foods.
It sounds like you have bacterial leaf spot, a common problem with basil plants. This article should tell you everything about it:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/bacterial-leaf-spot.htm
I'm learning to grow herb plants(basil,parsley,cilantro,rosemary,thyme,oregano)for use in my cooking & have had some type of pest eating the leaves. I don't see any larvae on the leaves & would like to know if you have any suggestions as to what pest may be causing this. Also, I would like to know if you have a recipe for making an insecticide that is safe for edible plants & herbs? Thanks so much.....Janet Allen
The pest could be a caterpillar that feeds at night, a beetle, weevil or grasshopper. Without a photo of the damage or preferably of the pest itself, we can only guess.
There are many good bio-pesticides available which are not toxic for people, but with plants you will be using the foliage, the choice narrows because of residual oil coating and taste issues. Insecticidal soap and botanical insecticides like rosemary and clove oils leave an odorous residue. So does neem oil.
My choice would be a neem seed product with the active ingredient of Azadirachtin that repels insect pests as a preventive (not neem oil which will leave an oil coating.) Or pyrethrum (chrysanthemum extract) as a contact spray for pests which you can see and target directly. This knock down spray biodegrades in a few hours.
This product has both:
https://www.domyown.com/azera-gardening-p-17095.html
Yes it does. It is often much easier to start with a new plant than it is to treat an infected basil plant.
This article will help you to grow a basil plant to its full potential: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/basil/how-to-grow-basil-plants.htm
OUSLY? I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF VACUUM STORAGE. IS THIS FOR REAL> You SAY TO PUT BASIL SEEDS IN A BAG OR JAR AND MAKE SURE THERE IS NO AIR. AM I SUPPOSED TO INTRODUCE A VACUUM IN THE JAR/BAG? SERIOUSLY? I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF VACUUM STORAGE. IS THIS FOR REAL>
This link will show you how a vacuum sealing unit works: http://vacuumsealersexpert.com/use-jar-vacuum-sealer-seal-mason-jars/
Although there are many vacuum storage containers available, this will mainly apply to bags. It will be quite impossible to introduce a vacuum into a jar on its own, without quite a bit of chemical knowledge.
With a bag, however... You can simply squeeze out the extra air, or if you do have a vacuum sealer, then you can use this option.