Organic Fertilizers to Protect Against Tomato Hornworms

Plant Derived Pesticides

• Extracts from both chrysanthemum species native to Africa and the neem tree of India have insect repelling traits and are registered for use in organic food production. Pick hornworms off by hand if possible and then sprayed with pesticides containing either of these two active ingredients.

Mineral Derived Pesticides

• Many horticultural and dormant oils derived from minerals are useful as pesticides and kill by smothering. Although primarily used as a fungicide, pesticides containing copper sulfate and lime (Bordeaux mix) are used as a pest repellent in tomato production.

Organic Fertilizers

• Only those chemicals that have been approved by the Organic Materials Review Institute can be sold as "organic", but their are other natural sources of nutrients for your tomatoes as well. Bone meal, blood meal, cottonseed meal, fish emulsion, wood ash and compost are all natural sources of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium to help bolster your tomatoes resistance to insects and disease.