How to protect cucumbers from pests without chemicals: 2 important steps to take immediately
Aphids can cause significant problems for gardeners. Despite their small size, these pests can cause significant damage to fruit and vegetable crops. The most frustrating aspect is that their appearance during fruit formation offers few opportunities for effective control.
Aphids multiply rapidly, and if they infest your cucumber garden, you must act quickly to eliminate them, manually if necessary. It’s easier to combat the problem early than to deal with a full infestation later.
However, if an infestation has already occurred, you can still get rid of aphids on fruiting cucumbers without using chemicals. Here’s how it works:
How to treat aphids
The key is perseverance. Treat your plants regularly, at least once a week, using the following methods:
- Soap and ash solution:
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- Grate a bar of laundry soap (you can also use natural tar soap) or use liquid soap without scent additives.
- Mix the soap with 5 liters of clean, warm water and add 1 cup of wood ash.
- Mix well and spray your plants with this solution.
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- Wood ash infusion:
- Mix 1 kg of wood ash in 10 liters of water.
- Let the mixture rest for 24 hours.
- Before use, add 2-3 tablespoons of grated or liquid laundry soap to the infusion.
- Spray the plants with this solution for two days.
By following these tips and performing regular treatments, you can protect your cucumbers from pests without having to resort to chemical solutions.
