You're not the only one who thinks chard makes for an excellent snack. Aphids -- tiny green, brown, white or red bugs that measure just 1/4 inch or less -- often attack chard and other vegetables, sucking the sap out of the plant's leaves and stems. Instead of resorting to toxic pesticides, try simply washing the bugs off of your plants. It's often all you need to do to keep these pests in check.
Blast the Aphids into the Past
Attach a garden hose to an outside faucet, and plug an adjustable spray nozzle to the end of the hose. For the best results, use a nozzle that lets you pick various patterns of water spray, such as a cone shape, a mist or a gentle shower pattern.
Turn the adjustable spray nozzle's control dial so that it forces the hose's water flow into a jet of water.
Drench your chard plant with a forceful blast of water, starting at the top of the plant and working your way down to its base. Aphids are fragile insects and a forceful jet of water, or even a heavy rainstorm, will kill and dislodge these pests from your plants.
Soap Your Chard Squeaky Clean
Mix a quart of water with a teaspoon of dish soap in a spray bottle to create a homemade insecticidal soap.
Spray the solution onto a paper towel or rag.
Wipe your chard plant's leaves and stems with your sprayed rag or paper towel. The light trace of soap in the water suffocates and kills the aphids.
Things You Will Need
- Garden hose
- Adjustable spray nozzle
- Spray bottle
- Dish soap
- Paper towel or cloth rage
- Monitor your chard constantly for the first sign of aphids. Aphid activity typically reaches its peak in the spring when temperatures range between 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
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