Neem oil is a little different from other horticultural oils, which is probably why it's been mistaken for something completely different! Most horticultural oils are best used as a preventative measure against pests and plant diseases, but neem oil contains an ingredient that can act as an aggressive pest control method when needed.
All types of horticultural oils should be used in your garden as they have few disadvantages and few negative environmental impacts! Let's take a look at how neem oils stand out from other oils so you can learn how to use them in your garden.
What are horticultural and neem oils?
Horticultural and neem oils are naturally derived oils that used to be called dormant oils. Mineral and vegetable oils such as canola, cottonseed, and soybean oils are classified as horticultural oils and can be used in the garden to prevent pests and diseases.
You may see these in the form of spray oils as they are very easy to apply to your garden to control insects. Some are ready-to-use (RTU), while others come in concentrate form that you need to mix with water before using.
Many oils are suitable for organic gardening and plant tissue, but not all are. It depends on how the oil was made and if anything was added. If you don't want harmful chemicals from your garden on the surface of your plants, you must check the label to make sure it's organic.
Horticultural and neem oils are naturally derived oils that used to be called dormant oils. Mineral and vegetable oils such as canola, cottonseed, and soybean oils are classified as horticultural oils and can be used in the garden to prevent pests and diseases.
You may see these in the form of spray oils as they are very easy to apply to your garden to control insects. Some are ready-to-use (RTU), while others come in concentrate form that you need to mix with water before using.
Many oils are suitable for organic gardening and plant tissue, but not all are. It depends on how the oil was made and if anything was added. If you don't want harmful chemicals from your garden on the surface of your plants, you must check the label to make sure it's organic.
Neem oil is a horticultural oil, so most of what was said before applies to this one! Neem oil is generally classified as an all-season oil, so it's a good oil to keep as a general-purpose plant.
The key difference that sets this oil apart is azerutin, a naturally derived compound that can be found in neem oil. This chemical kills pests, which makes neem oil useful year-round as an insecticide for pests of any size.
It's a bit of a miracle oil in comparison to other horticultural oils since it can help kill off existing fungal diseases! It likely won't get rid of all fungal diseases, but if you catch an outbreak early, you may be able to stop it in its tracks.
How These Oils Are Used In The Garden
Horticultural and neem oils are super easy to use in the garden since they're as simple as spraying them on the plants that need treatment. If you have a ready-to-use spray, you can spray it as needed according to the label directions for oil application. If you have a concentrate, you'll need to mix it with water according to the label.
Horticultural oils should never be sprayed in extreme temperatures that are freezing or above 90°F (32.2°C). When the oils are applied at these temperatures, they can cause injury to your plants and won't be as effective. Remember that summer oil doesn't mean it can withstand high temperatures—it just means you can apply them while the plants have leaves!
Most spray oil products work in the same way: you spray them on plant foliage where you see pests or the beginnings of a fungal infection. Remember that different types of oils (dormant oils, highly refined oils, and superior oils) may have slightly different application requirements, which is why it's so important to make sure you read the product label before you use it.
When you apply horticultural oil sprays, be sure to get thorough spray coverage by getting the entire plant, including the tops and bottoms of the leaves and the stems. The oils kill plant pests by suffocating them, so be generous with the application.
Unfortunately, horticultural oils aren't selective about what kind of insects they kill, so they can put beneficial insects like bees at risk. You can minimize the risk by spraying early in the morning or in the evening after the pollinators have left your garden. As an extra precaution, avoid spraying flower heads where pollinators land so the residue left behind won't be a threat.
Benefits of Horticultural and Neem Oils
Horticultural oil products are loved by organic and non-organic gardeners alike because they're virtually non-toxic to living things that aren't soft-bodied insects. People and pets may have irritation if it comes into contact with the eyes, nose, mouth, or skin, but it shouldn't be anything more than uncomfortable.
Since these oils are naturally derived from plants and minerals, pests are less likely to develop a tolerance, meaning you can keep using them in your garden year after year. Pests can build tolerances to inorganic chemical insecticides, making them ineffective over time. Horticultural oils aren't susceptible to this problem, and you can always switch up what kind of oil you're using if you think it's not working like it used to.
Many horticultural oils are certified organic since they come from the earth. The only exceptions are if the plants the oils were made from weren't treated organically or if inorganic ingredients were added to the oil. Another great thing about these natural oils is that they can actually encourage earthworms in your soil, so you don't have to worry about residue ruining your soil!
Horticultural and neem oil products are generally budget-friendly, so they're easy to keep in your garden. Of course, it will depend on the brand and size of the products and the retailer you buy from, but you can typically find reasonable prices that won't break the bank.
Horticultural and neem oils control pests of all kinds, so they're a great addition to have in your garden! They can kill caterpillars, scale insects, soft-bodied insects, and mites (including spider mites). Horticultural oils, in general, kill many common garden pests, but each type usually targets a specific kind, so you'll need to read the package label to make sure it'll help you the way you need it to.
Downsides of Horticultural and Neem Oils
Horticultural oils do have their downsides. Since they can only be used in a specific temperature range or only at certain times of the year, you may find them to be a bit a
