Did you know you can tell the temperature in either Fahrenheit or Celsius by counting a cricket's chirps?

To calculate by cricket chirps in Fahrenheit, count the number of chirps in 14 seconds. Add that number to 40 and the result is the temperature in Fahrenheit. For instance, say my cricket chirped 25 chirps in 14 seconds, 25 chirps + 40 = 65 degrees F.

For Celsius. Count the cricket chirps in 25 seconds. Divide the number of chirps in 25 seconds by 3, then add 4 and the result is the temperature in Celsius. For instance, 51 chirps in 25 seconds, divide 51 chirps by 3 = 17 + 4 = 21 degrees C.

The Basics

• Spray in the early morning or the cool of evening.
• Do not spray when temps are above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants may "burn" or have a reaction known as "phytotoxicity" to what you are using in excessive heat.
• Take the current outdoor Fahrenheit temperature then add to this the percentage of humidity, if the total is more than 140 don't spray. Example: Temperature of 78 degrees plus humidity of 69 percent equals 147, don't spray.
• Water the plant the day before you spray.
• Test on a small area of the plant. Wait 2-3 days and check for any damage.
• Spray with a hand sprayer, thorough coverage of the pest is necessary so spray both sides of the foliage until it drips from the leaves.
• More is not better. If you are not getting good results don't increase the strength of these remedies without testing first
• Target just the area you need to treat. Be careful... try not to harm the good guys.
• Always protect your exposed skin and face. Some of these ingredients can be very irritating to your skin, eyes and mucous membranes, especially any hot pepper sprays.
  

Clover underplanting

To reduce insect damage in the brassica family underplant with white clover (T. repens) or subterranean clover (Trifolium subterranean). works via masking the distinct scent of brassicas.

Controls: Aphids, root flies and cabbage butterflies.

Elder Leaf Spray

8 oz of leaves
16 oz water
1 tbsp of castille soap

simmer leaves in 16 oz water forr 30 minutes. Stir thoroughly, strain. Take 16 oz of warm water and mix with castille soap. Add soap mixture to the elder water, spray as needed. Set sprayer to coarse or large drops, tends to plug a fine setting.

Controls: Aphids, carrot root fly, cucumber beetles, peach tree borers, and root maggots, particularly effective against midges. Elder leaves also have fungicidal properties and may be useful against mildew and blackspot diseases.

Fleabane Spray (Inula conyza)

1cup leaves and or roots
4 cups of water
1/4 tsp castille soap

Bring water to a boil and pour over the fleabane, cover and let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain, let cool. Mix in soap, spray.

Controls: general purpose

Garlic Spray

3 oz of minced garlic cloves
1 ounce of mineral oil

Combine and let soak for 24 hours or longer. Strain.

1 tsp of fish emulsion
16 oz of water
1 tbsp of castille
Mix fish emulsion with water. Add soap .
Slowly combine the fish emulsion water with the garlic oil. Store in a sealed glass container, will remain viable for several months. To use: Mix 2 tbsp of garlic oil with 1 pint of water and spray.

Never use oils sprays on Blue Spruce or any waxy leaved plant.
Garlic contains naturally occurring sulfur it also acts as an antibacterial agent and fungus preventative.

Controls: Aphids, cabbage loopers, earwigs, grasshoppers, June bugs, leafhoppers, mites, squash bugs, slugs, whiteflies. Does not appear to harm adult lady beetles,some gardeners have reported that is doesn't work against the Colorado potaoe beetles, grape leaf skeletonizers, grasshoppers, red ants, or sowbugs.

Herbal Blend Spray

Catnip, Chives, Feverfew, Marigolds, or Rue

Mash 1 to 2 cups of fresh leaves with 2 to 4 cups of water and let soak overnight. Or make a herbal tea by pouring the same amount of boiling water over 2 to 4 cups fresh or 1 to 2 cups dry leaves and leaving them to steep until cool. Strain through cheesecloth. Before spraying dilute with another 2 to 4 cups water. Add a very small amount of castille soap (1/4 tsp in 1 to 2 quarts of water) to help the spray stick to leaves and spread better. You can also buy commercial essential herbal oils and dilute with water to make a spray. Experiment with proportions, starting with a few drops of oil per cup of water.
Spray plants thoroughly, especially undersides of leaves, and repeat at weekly as neccessary, used against pests that feed on leaves.

Resources: Rodale's Chemical-Free Yard and Garden
Rodale's The Encyclopedia of Natural Insect and Disease Control.