Gardening with Neem

Sylvrfalcn · Jul 3, 2006

Yup, it ain't just good wood for knife handles, it's a boon to organic gardeners. Something was getting after my plants pretty brutal, and I was about to break down and go buy some sort of poison or another to spray 'em with, though I really didn't want to. Ran across "Neem Oil Concentrate", said to myself "aha", mixed some up in a pump sprayer, and got 'r done. Life is good, within about a week of application my plants are all looking strong and healthy again. Between the Neem and a fish based fertilizer I use, everything is producing well, and I've got no shortage of hot peppers, fresh herbs, etc., to keep my cooking tasty. I don't put poison in my food, so I don't care to put poison on my food as it's growing. I'm plenty tickled about the Neem, reckon now I'll have to break down and snag me a knife with a Neem handle, since I'm now in that noble tree's debt, and ever as always indebted to Yangdu and HI.

Sarge

Ad Astra · Jul 3, 2006

The grain can be gorgeous, too.

Not sure if it'll show in this pic, but the streaks are amazing.

Mike

Kevin the grey · Jul 3, 2006

I,ll have to check Neem out and what principal it works by . I have mint plants that the bugs like as much as Me .

Andrew Taylor · Jul 3, 2006

I could do with some of this myself. Something is eating my herbs, pole and french beans.

Mail order.
http://www.centralcoasthydro.com/pno700.htm

http://www.wedels.com/web pages/timely_tips_040304.htm
The Fertilome folks have provided us with a new stronger Neem Oil product. Neem Oil Triple Action Plus can be used on ornamentals, fruits, and vegetables. When sprayed, this 70% clarified Neem Oil concentrate will kill eggs, larvae, and adult insects and mites. Triple Action Plus is also labeled for the control of mildew, rust, and black spot on roses and many other plants. Neem oil is extracted from the Neem tree fruits and is 100% natural.

Also used in medicine
http://www.neemking.com/?ovmkt=TD73TLUDCE95MBETPCF3A4LVBS
Neem seed oil is a thick dark brown semisolid with bitter taste and a rather strong odour that is said to combine the odours of peanut and garlic. It comprises mainly triglycerides and large amounts of triterpenoid compounds, which are responsible for the bitter taste. The method of processing is likely to affect the composition of the oil, since the methods used, such as pressing, solvent extraction or steam extraction are unlikely to remove exactly the same mix of components in the same proportions.

Traditional Ayurvedic uses of neem include the treatment of fever, leprosy, malaria, ophthalmia and tuberculosis. Various folk remedies for neem include use as an anthelmintic, antifeedant, antiseptic, diuretic, emmenagogue, contraceptive, febrifuge, parasiticide, pediculocide and insecticide. It has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of tetanus, urticaria, eczema, scrofula and erysipelas. Traditional routes of administration of neem extracts included oral, vaginal and topical use. Neem oil has an extensive history of human use in India and surrounding regions for a variety of therapeutic purposes.

...from wikipedia.com

Svashtar · Jul 4, 2006

Ad Astra said:
The grain can be gorgeous, too.

Not sure if it'll show in this pic, but the streaks are amazing.

Mike

Mike, that Neem 18" BDC kicks A$$! I have several pieces like that, but that combo is it. Wish I had snagged that guy, and remember when you did. I special ordered an Attitude like yours after missing that as well.

I have a piece exactly like that on your Trisul on a 15" Pen. About the nicest pieces I have are on a Junge, and a 30" siru.

Ironically, the first piece I ever got was on a YCS karda, and was so plain and uninspired I didn't know what all the fuss was about. Then I got a couple of others and finally figured it out. Beautiful stuff.

Norm

TomFetter · Jul 4, 2006

I remember reading somewhere that in India, many folks chew the ends of neem twigs, and use them as a disposable toothbrush. The anti-bacterial properties are pretty helpful ...

Svashtar · Jul 6, 2006

TomFetter said:
I remember reading somewhere that in India, many folks chew the ends of neem twigs, and use them as a disposable toothbrush. The anti-bacterial properties are pretty helpful ...

That's what I have heard as well Tom. And I believe that Yangdu posted a while back that when she was a child her father would make a tea out of it, which had medicinal purposes.

Norm

Fiddleback · Jul 6, 2006

Svashtar said:
Mike, that Neem 18" BDC kicks A$$! I have several pieces like that, but that combo is it. Wish I had snagged that guy, and remember when you did. I special ordered an Attitude like yours after missing that as well.

I have a piece exactly like that on your Trisul on a 15" Pen. About the nicest pieces I have are on a Junge, and a 30" siru.

Ironically, the first piece I ever got was on a YCS karda, and was so plain and uninspired I didn't know what all the fuss was about. Then I got a couple of others and finally figured it out. Beautiful stuff.

Norm

Norm, is the handle of that neem YCS karda carved? If not then refinish it. It'll turn out way prettier after that, i'm sure. The rouge hides character in wood something fierce. If you send it to me I'll refinish it for you.

Gardening with Neem

Knifemaker