Question
Hi charlotte,

My husband and I have fought brown patch for the past few years.  We are seriouly interested into learning more about the natural way of treating diseases.  I have read so much about baking soda; but everyone has different amounts to put on the yard and how often.  Some say a T per gallon of water; along with horticultural oil; some a 1/2 cup.  I don't want to burn what grass I have left.  I need good measurements.  Also, I have beautiful cannas; but the roll worms have begun to attach them.  I bought some Neem oil to ry; but should it go on the ground or leaves.  

Thanks for your help!

Brenda

Answer
Hi Brenda;
Try Horticultural Corn Meal as a fungicide.
Apply 10 to 15 pounds per 1000 sq.ft.
15 pounds if you have a very heavy fungus problem, 10 if it is not so severe.
Actually, if you put 1 cup baking soda per gallon, it won't hurt anything.
For years, before I could find out the right amount, I used about a half cup or more per gallon, and it never harmed my roses or anything.
You can make a tea for spraying shrubs, roses etc with the hurticultural corn meal too. Just put about a handful per 1 or 2 gallons of water, let it set for 30 min or an hour, and srtain it, and put it in your sprayer, and spray.
Put the horticultural over all your lawn and garden. It will do NO harm to anything, and it will stop any fungus, molds etc that might try to grow there.
For insects?
I don't bother with them.
When you use an organic program, your yard attracts toads, lizards and grass snakes etc that will eat all the harmful bugs.
I have never used neem oil, so I am not sure how it is applied.
Go to this site to read up on neem oil and how to use it.
If you don't get the answers you need, write me, and I will check in the forums on the organic site I belong to.

  www.ghorganics.com

in the mnu at the top, click on  critter trouble, then on that page, click on insects.
Charlotte