Neem Team - Gardener's Neem cake powder

Gardeners neem cake comes from the cold-pressed neem seeds once the oil has been extracted.

Neem cake has been used for centuries in India as a soil improver and fertilizer for crops with natural, organic, biodegradable non-toxic pesticidal properties.

Neem cake is

• richer in plant nutrients than manure 
• promotes larger populations of earthworms (up to 15% more)
• protects plant roots from nematodes, soil grubs and termites (probably due to its residual limonoid content)
• improves the organic matter content of the soil
• helps improve soil texture, water holding capacity and soil aeration for better root development 
• helps reduce alkalinity of the soil
• inhibits nitrification and prolongs the availability of nitrogen for  short and long duration crops by suppressing nitrifying bacteria, and
• plants take up components of neem as they grow to increase their natural plant defences against disease.

The result? Better soil quality and healthier, stronger plants 

Compatible with soil microbes and encourages earthworms, non-toxic for birds and mammals, making it a safe and eco-friendly vegan choice for gardens.

Directions for Use: Powdered cake is best mixed with the soil, but can also be used for top-dressing.

• Potted Plants: incorporate neem cake into the potting mix at a rate of approximately 1 to 2 (40g) tablespoons per 5 litres of potting medium every 2-3 months.
• Garden Beds: 1 to 2 kilograms per square meter of soil for garden beds at the start of the season.
• Established Plants: Spread thinly around the root zone and mix it into the soil every 2-3 months.
• Foliar spray: Neem cake powder can also be used as a foliar spray. Mix 1 tablespoon of neem cake powder per litre of water and leave overnight. Spray the liquid on the plant leaves. This will help repel insects and protect the plants from fungal and bacterial infections.
• Seed treatment: Soak the seeds in a solution of neem cake powder and water for 24 hours before planting. This will help to protect the seeds from pests and diseases and promote healthy germination.

Neem cake has a balanced NPK in organic form for plant growth and contains up to 40% proteins. Being a totally botanical product it contains 100% natural NPK content and other essential micro nutrients like calcium, manganese, sulphur, zinc and copper etc for more balanced plant growth. It is rich in both sulphur compounds and bitter limonoids which help plant resistance to soil pests and fungal disease. Unlike fertilisers with higher NPK ratios, it does not encourage unbalanced growth and can be used through the year.

Note: After spreading, neem seed cake will begin to decompose and may show fungal growth. This is a natural part of decomposition as it slowly releases nutrients into the soil.

Typical composition:

Store in a cool dry place and for best results, use in 18 months once opened.