Topic: Garlic wash?

[grannyjanny]

Today I went to a food & craft fayre & got chatting to a chap from Riverford Organics.
I asked how they would protect carrots from the dreaded CRF & he said garlic wash.
Has anyone tried this please & with what sort of results?
 

[Unwashed]

Not something I've tried, but I wonder what would happen if there was white rot in the ground.  Might it in effect feed the fungus?

[hippydave]

did he tell you how to make the garlic wash ???

[Tee Gee]

I think it may work simply because many insects find their host plants by means of 'smell' so offering a different smell around these host plants is likely to confuse them.

As many of you know I use armillatox for this purpose and this seems to work so I see a 'garlic wash' as a more organic way of achieving this aim.

Only one way to find out; Try it

[grannyjanny]

No  but I googled it. Very easy to do.

[Chrispy]

Not something I've tried, but I wonder what would happen if there was white rot in the ground.  Might it in effect feed the fungus?

Have you not read the threads about getting rid of white rot with a garlic spray?
The idea is the garlic spray makes the spores wake up, but because there are no onions to feed off they just die off.
Don't know if it works, but if spraying everything can keep the bugs away and clear the ground if white rot...... I'm giving it a go.

[calendula]

I have used it in the greenhouse - seems to work very well, outdoors I think the smell would soon dissipate and be useless but might work for awhile in dry weather

[Mrs Gumboot]

I've had a conversation with someone who used a similar idea to keep slugs and snails away from things like hostas. She swore it worked a treat and I guess it's only the same principle of using a smell to mask or repel.

Apparently the brew she made up had to be kept in a sealed container in the shed at the bottom of the garden. I dread to think what the garden smelt like. I know her husband wasn't too keen!

Am I right in thinking it's mainly when you disturb the carrots that the smell gets out and the fly finds you out? In that case you'd only need to spray after thinning or cropping so it wouldn't have to hang around too long.

[Tee Gee]

Am I right in thinking it's mainly when you disturb the carrots that the smell gets out and the fly finds you out? In that case you'd only need to spray after thinning or cropping so it wouldn't have to hang around too long.

Personally I think that theory is a bit of an old wives tale!

True the smell will be stronger if you disturb the the roots/carrots but smells are carried on the wind so the leaves brushing against each other in the breeze will assist this.

To prove this; try brushing you hand lightly through the carrot foliage then smell your hand and I am quite sure you will detect a faint smell of carrots!

But then again thats only my opinion, who knows? perhaps 'some expert' promoted the idea you suggest in order to add a few lines to their book ::)

[genlistlass]

30 years ago in South Africa I used to plant garlic and/or African marigolds  around susceptible plants (black spot on roses). Seemed to work there but maybe not here???


Gen in NBL

[cleo]

But then again thats only my opinion, who knows? perhaps 'some expert' promoted the idea you suggest in order to add a few lines to their book

Oh that did make me smile-new `celeb` gardener ,same old rubbish at worst same old stuff everyone knows at best.

[davyw1]

We have been trying this product and those that used it said while it was a bit pricey the results were good. The allotment shop is getting it in for next season and i will certainly be buy a bottle.
It will probably cost about £8 but if that is offset against what veg i may loose to pest then i have spent nothing.

http://www.astonhorticulture.com/retail_products.htm

[Mrs Gumboot]

Personally I think that theory is a bit of an old wives tale!

I've got a feeling it might have been my head gardener. I've wondered for a long time whether he really knew what he was talking about  ;D