Kirsten wrote:

For the first time ever, I've managed a cracking crop of lovely basil - a couple of varieties, in a decent sized plant pot in our sunny porch.  Today it is covered in aphids.  I've searched the net and got a couple of ideas, but wondered if anyone had a tried and trusted method?  Obviously I want to eat the basil so it has to be groovy and organic. My son adores pesto.

All this after the hours spent picking rosemary beetles off a once fine rosemary bush - and off next door's lavender!  I love growing my own stuff - touch wood, the veggies are all looking well - but am beginning to appreciate that really keen gardeners must face lots of battles with beasties!

Thanks in advance for any tips.

I would go with Minerva's advice. Although I use an ecological washing up liquid like Ecover if I'm going to eat the leaves. Also a good idea to rinse off the soapy water after spraying the beasties.

“Disease and insect infestations are nothing more than Nature’s way of saying there is a nutrient deficiency in plants, which makes them nutritionally unfit for higher life forms to consume. Billions of dollars are spent every year on chemicals to fight diseases and insects, and consequently billions of dollars are spent on drugs and supplements for consumers of this minerally deficient food. It is indeed a degenerative merry-go-round… - Arden Anderson

I'm also looking for a cure for aphides on basil and came across this forum. I'm a huge Jamie Oliver fan and thought i would share what i know about pests.

Last edited by carina.moyer (Thu 10 Jan 13 3:02am)