The notorious garlic fly (often called the onion fly) can really do a number on your garden. If you notice your garlic leaves turning brown and the plant slowly withering away, you likely have these uninvited guests. As soon as those first warm spring days hit, the garlic fly lays its eggs right at the base of the stem. Once the larvae hatch and move on, they leave behind a stunted or completely dead plant. On top of that, garlic can also fall victim to downy mildew, gray mold, and leaf spot.
How to keep pests away:
- Plant marigolds nearby. They’re great companion plants that help deter pests naturally.
- Use row covers. Covering your plants with a light garden fleece or mesh can prevent flies from reaching the stems.
Garlic tea: A natural fix for fungi, leaf curl, and mildew
Garlic tea (or garlic spray) is a fantastic organic remedy for fighting off fungi, mildew, and aphids. It’s also a great preventative measure against peach leaf curl. Your roses, delphiniums, phlox, peach trees, and cucumbers will definitely thank you for the extra care! Simply spray the mixture onto affected plants and repeat the process every few days for the best results. If you’re dealing with leaf curl, try to apply the spray in February before the buds start to open.
It’s super easy to make at home:
- Peel and finely chop about 2.5 ounces (75g) of garlic.
- Pour 1 quart (1 liter) of hot (but not boiling!) water over the garlic pieces.
- Let the mixture steep for 24 hours.
- Strain the liquid and pour it into a spray bottle.
