Natural DefenseOrganic Fertilizers
Organic Pest Management Without Synthetic Chemicals
How to use neem oil, Trichoderma, and companion planting to keep pests and fungal disease off your vegetable patch.
Year-round7 min read
1
Identify before you treat
Check the underside of leaves and stem base for early signs — sticky residue suggests aphids, holes suggest chewing pests, wilting suggests root fungal issues.
2
Apply neem oil as a preventive spray
Mix 5 ml cold-pressed neem oil with 1 litre water and a drop of natural soap, spraying weekly in the early morning or evening.
3
Treat root rot with Trichoderma
Drench the root zone of affected seedlings with a Trichoderma bio-shield solution to outcompete damping-off fungi.
4
Plant pest-deterrent companions
Interplant marigold, tulsi, and coriander between vegetable rows to confuse pests with strong scent barriers.
Agronomist Tips
- Never spray neem oil in direct harsh midday sun — it can scorch leaves.
- Rotate between neem, Trichoderma, and Panchagavya treatments to avoid pest adaptation.
- Remove and destroy visibly infected leaves rather than composting them.