How to Use Neem Oil as a Fungicide on Garlic

Preparation

• 1

  Create a neem oil mix right before you are ready to use it, so the azadirachtin component will be potent. Unscrew the spray bottle and remove the nozzle top.

• 2

  Pour 4 cups of water into the bottle. Add 2 to 3 tbsp. of neem oil and about 1/2 tbsp. of liquid detergent to the water. The detergent acts as an emulsifier allowing the oil and water to blend.

• 3

  Screw back on the nozzle top tightly. Shake up the mix vigorously before opening the nozzle hole.

• 4

  Inspect your plant leaves mid-season or about five months after you first planted the clove. At five months into the growing process, the plant's roots will be firmly grounded. If the garlic plant's leaves are yellow, your plant has probably already been infected with fungus and neem oil will not help.

• 5

  Pull up all garlic plants that appear diseased. Fungus can infect the soil and any surrounding plants as well.

Application

• 6

  Apply neem oil to the soil of healthy plants during the early morning or late evening hours.

• 7

  Shake the spray bottle vigorously. Spray the soil directly over the area where the garlic bulb is growing so that the neem oil mix penetrates down to the bulb. Shake the bottle between sprays.

• 8

  Spray underneath the leaves if insects are a problem for your plant. Do not spray on top of the leaves. If you accidentally spray some on the tops of the leaves, early morning or late evening timing may prevent the leaves from scorching in the sun.

• 9

  Discard any leftover neem oil mix. It won't be potent enough for the next application.

• 10

  Prepare a fresh neem oil mix for each application. Spray your plant's soil each day for the next seven to thirteen days to fully prevent any fungal infestation.