NATURAL PEST REPELLENTS These recipes were taken from the June, 1987 issue of Country Journal magazine (p. 42-45). TOMATO Tomato leaves, pureed * 4 - 5 pints of water 1 T. each cornstarch & Ivory Soap flakes Mix together, let stand for a couple of hours. Strain. Spray on roses to prevent black spot. Refrigerate any leftover liquid. GARLIC 3 - 4 ounces chopped garlic bulbs 2 T. mineral oil 1 pint water 1 t. fish emulsion Soak garlic in mineral oil for 24 hours. Dissolve fish emulsion in water & mix with garlic-mineral oil. Stir well and strain. Store in glass jar (it reacts with metal). Dilute as follows: 1 part mixture to 20 parts water. Use on plants with large insect infestation. DO NOT USE on peas, beans, or sage. Also repels rabbits. CHIVE TEA 5 T. chopped chives 10 c. boiling water 1 T. Ivory Soap flakes Pour boiling water over chives. Let stand until cool. Strain and add soap. Spray on cucumbers to prevent or discourage powdery mildew. NASTURTIUMS Nasturtium leaves, pureed * 4 - 5 pints of water 1 T. each cornstarch & Ivory Soap flakes Mix leaves, water, and cornstarch. Let stand for a couple of hours. Strain and mix with soap. Spray on squash to deter squash bugs. Also, use on broccoli to control aphids. OVER HOT PEPPER 5 Pepper pods 2 medium onions 1 Garlic bulb Water * Mash pods, onions, & garlic together. Cover with water and let stand for 24 hours. Strain. Add enough water to make a gallon of spray. Use on roses, azaleas, chrysanthemums, & beans. * No specific amounts were given in the article. HOMEMADE GARDEN SPRAYS These 2 recipes are from an episode of The Weekend Gardener TV show. The first is assumed to be a homemade liquid fertilizer of some kind. The show in- dicated its use when weather has been particularly hot, if plants are under stress due to other factors affecting their general health, or as a mid or late season nutrient boost. The second was offered as a set spray for tomatoes, which were said not to form blossoms above 90 - 95 degrees F. Whether or not it would be effective in cooler temperatures or on other types of plants was not mentioned. It is supposed to interrupt the nitrogen cycle, so the plant will set blossoms. GARDEN TONIC 5 gal. bucket Water 3 pkgs. Unflavored Gelatin 2 c. epsom salts 1 t. Borax (boron) 1/4 c. dishwasher soap (made with vegetable oils, NOT animal fats) Put gelatin & epsom salts in bucket as you fill it with water, so they will get dissolved properly. Add borax and stor. Put soap in last (to keep down suds). Mix well. Use about 2 cups of formula per plant or group of plants. May be poured directly over foliage and allowed to soak in ground. In 2 - 3 days, plants and foliage should "perk up". TOMATO SET SPRAY 1 gal. Water 1 t. sugar Mix well and spray on plants.