Jasmine from Facebook recently sent me a question about her Brussels Sprouts, and because it’s one of those pain in the garden sort of questions, I thought I would answer it in a post, so that everyone can chime in with what has worked for them and let you know how I typically deal with the issue.
She writes,
Hi, Mavis! I was wanting to know how to get rid of aphids on my Brussel sprouts? I feel like me and the aphids are in weekly battle! I have sprayed them with insecticidal soap for organic gardening, but I feel very un-organic even using that. Please help!
So, first up, I do use soap. I make my own insecticidal soap. I typically use a combination of water, minced garlic, and dawn dish soap. I mix all those up, shake it up a bit and let it steep for 24 hours {I want it to be an aphid A-bomb}. After that, I spray my plants–I use it on edibles and flowers. Make sure to spray them after you have watered, otherwise, it washes off to quickly to do much good. Spraying needs to be done daily as well–which is kind of a bummer, but let’s face it, organic gardening is straight up higher maintenance {and higher pay-off}.
In addition to the soap, I really like co-planting with flowers and other plants that attract beneficial bugs that eat aphids. Those same plants also work to deter aphids in the first place. For example, onions, marigolds, or garlic planted near Brussels sprouts work great at deterring aphids–they find the smell repugnant.
Ladybugs are basically the rock stars of the battle against aphids, so if you can’t attract beneficial bugs naturally, I recommend ordering ladybugs and introducing them into your garden. When you introduce them into the garden, you need to make sure that you already have an aphid issue {no food, no stay}. Also, it’s best to water your garden in the evening, and then release them near dark. They won’t fly away in the dark, and if there is a water source, they will consider it as good a place as any to have babies.
Finally, if all else fails, and the aphids are winning the battle, it’s best to pluck that plant to save any others that might not yet be infested. It’s sad, but true.
How do all of you keep aphids out of your garden?
~Mavis
Heather Bamberg says
I live on a USDA certified organic farm and I can tell you that even organic farmers spray their crops when there is an infestation, with approved organic methods, of course.
In my personal garden I spray with a combination of cayenne pepper and ‘garlic juice’ (I use the liquid from a minced garlic jar, but you can also press it fresh) and a couple drops of dawn soap to help it stick to the plant and emulsify.
Companion planting with onions and marigolds also helps. I have found that one good spray of the garlic/cayenne concoction can wipe out the aphids when there are only a few, but spray all the leaves until dripping! Daily spraying is needed for bad infestations.
I have also planted a ‘sacrificial’ play elsewhere in the garden to attract the aphids away from my edibles. Aphids love fennel, roses and brassicas, so one across the garden in treated might lure them away from your now spicy treated plants.
Kristina says
Just curious — I’m wondering how much you think the garlic/cayenne/surfactant helps vs just spraying with water? I’ve anecdotally had some success in my garden on my roses, etc just dousing with a garden hose often. Also, I can attest to attracting bugs to another source. We can’t grow apples in our family fruit orchard to save our lives, because they attract a common walnut pest (we are commercial growers — good for the walnuts, but so sad we can’t grow our own apples….).
Carrie says
I have aphids on one of my tomato plants (out of 18 not too shabby!). I sprayed with soapy water (used Dr. Bronner’s). Most of them died but I have another group that I noticed yesterday. I also hate spraying any insecticide since I keep bees. Good luck!
Mandy says
Even better than ladybugs for my garden were lacewings. Ladybugs will migrate and leave your garden….despite the awesome dinner you’ve provided! Lacewings are more loyal. They won’t leave that easily. They’ll eat your aphids, and anything else that ladybugs will go after. They are worth the cost for sure. A really great source for beneficial insects is bugological.com
Tracy says
Just to clarify– there’s nothing organic about Dawn Dish Soap! I use the organic insecticidal soaps and add garlic, as well.
Jennifer says
Neam Oil is the best for my garden! The soap. garlic, hot pepper mixture didn’t work for me. I got a horrible infestation on my green beans and my artichoke plants. It works so well on Aphids and on Red Spider Mites that I get on my tomatoes.
Jillian says
I just spray with plain water and squish. I also notice that plants that have been stressed are more prone to aphids.
Phyllis says
If you know that aphids are likely to find your garden, plant lots of buckwheat among the plants most affected. In our area we have a big problem with Brassica aphids, so I plant my brassicas (cabbage, kale, brussels sprouts etc) in a solid mass of buchwheat. The brassicas will eventually out compete the buckwheat and choke it out. Preditor wasps LOVE buckwheat and can descimate a serious aphid infestation in 3-5 days. But this is a proactive solution. By the way,blooming buckwheat is beautiful. Check out the photo at:
https://fromscratchclub.com/2012/06/18/community-sharecropping-cover-cropping-your-garden/
Danielle says
I mostly go through every leaf and squish them, but on a really really bad infestation I’ll use neem oil. If that doesn’t work, just spray pure mineral oil on them. It gets thick and suffocates them/ prevents them from moving and they all die. It did begin to rot some of my leaves that I put it on too thick, but they came back even stronger and no more aphids after that.
janeth says
hi, im also having problems, I planted late so things are barely sprouting, my leaves are about 2 inches high, not infested yet but I did plant a bunch of mint in the area where I am going to transplant my tomatoes to and that is where the aphids are, they have almost completely destroyed my mint. holes everywhere and I noticed on some weeds around the fence by where the garden too have holes. I have been putting the “worry free” powder which I think is working it has slowed the leaf eating down but I now have found holes on my potato leaves. I will try the mix recommended above but im very nervous as this is my first summer gardening veggies and fruit. hoping for success…..oh my question, what time a day should I spray? early morning or at night?
-janeth