Can I over spray my tomato plants with castile soap and water?

Dar
by Dar
I don't know if I should spray my plants daily or weekly to keep insects from destroying my plants. Can someone please help me? This is the first time I even planted tomatoes or bell peppers, they are planted in a planter instead of in the ground.
  14 answers
  • Cwh6899259 Cwh6899259 on May 15, 2017

    Weekly

  • Leah Deverett Leah Deverett on May 16, 2017

    I recommend spraying your plants once every 1-2 weeks unless you're noticing a real bug problem then try 1-2 times a week. Good luck!!

  • Dar Dar on May 16, 2017

    Thank you for your suggestion. I will definitely do that. I'm not sure if it's that bad of a bug problem.

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on May 16, 2017

    I have grown both tomatoes and peppers in pots and never had a bug problem that required spraying. If you see damage spray them, otherwise I wouldn't do it too frequently. You don't want to damage the leaves by spraying too much. As long as you keep the plants healthy and keep bug damage to a minimum they will love you and produce a lot of fruit for you. Good luck on your first endeavor! You may end up planting a veggie garden after this. Make sure you cage your tomato, and your pepper if it gets too heavy with fruit.

    • Dar Dar on May 17, 2017

      Thank you Nancy. I hope I get plenty of fruit

  • Shirleyg Shirleyg on May 16, 2017

    If it is a bad problem, try a garlic mint spray

    • Dar Dar on May 17, 2017

      Thank you Shirleyg, I never heard of a garlic mint spray is it homemade and if so do you have the recipe?

  • Judy Judy on May 16, 2017

    plant mint in a pot right beside them...this helps...I do it

    • Dar Dar on May 17, 2017

      Hello Judy I forgot to mention that I have a Lavender plant near by, but I just moved it yesterday to be in front of my potted tomato plants will that work?

  • CJ CJ on May 17, 2017

    I have never sprayed my tomatoes for pests. Check your plants daily or every two days to look for any sign of insect damage. I occasionally have horn worms strip leaves from plants but the are easy to remove by hand. Drop them in a can of kerosene, squish or however you choose, just kill them as soon as possible. A single hornworm can strip a plant in only a few days. Just treat problems rather than risk over doing a preventative that probably isn't needed. Enjoy your garden!

  • I do not treat any of my plants for pests unless there is a reason to. And I get loads of produce off of all my tomatoes, peppers or anything else I plant. I tend to all the plants daily, which I know not everyone has the opportunity to do. Gardening is supposed to be fun and not stressful. Enjoy your first adventure! Happy gardening! 🍅

  • Shirleyg Shirleyg on May 17, 2017

    1 bulb (not a clove) of garlic

    1 1/2 mint leaves

    1 tsp cayenne pepper

    6 cup of water

    1 small squirt of dish dertergent


    pulse garlic and mint in a blender put in a pot add water pepper and detergent bring to a boil llet stand over night Strain through a coffee filter put in a spray bottle spray the top and bottem ol the leaves you should be bug free in 24 to 48 hours


  • Deb Deb on May 17, 2017

    After each rain

  • Shirleyg Shirleyg on May 17, 2017

    oops that should read 1 1/2 cups of mint

  • Judy Judy on May 17, 2017

    bugs don't like mint or lemon...like lemon geranium...don't know about lavender...nice plant though

    • Dar Dar on May 23, 2017

      I thought so too Judy. I just LOVE the smell of Lavender

  • Judy Judy on May 23, 2017

    I would plant them close by to see if it would help...lol win win


  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Jan 15, 2024

    Instead of spraying, Google Companion Plants and see what will repel pests for what you have planted. For example, tomatoes and basil or marigolds do well together, I have used this system for years with great results.