Dealing with garden pests can be a real challenge for any gardener. After putting in so much time and effort to help your plants thrive, the last thing you want is for pests to come along and ruin all your hard work. While there are many ways to naturally repel bugs, one budget-friendly and beneficial option that stands out is using rice water.
Rice water not only helps prevent pests from feasting on your crops, but it has also been studied for its positive effects on plant growth. Several scientific studies have shown that rice water can help increase growth and promote the health of plants, making it a great natural alternative to toxic chemicals.
Different kinds of rice water
When you go to make rice, most of us have been warned by concerned grandmas or aunties telling us to wash our rice before cooking it. However, studies have found that washed rice water, often wasted down the drain, is extremely rich in nutrients that act as an extraordinary fertilizer for plants. Rice loses most of its nutritional value in the washing process alone, so why waste that precious rice water and not apply it to your garden? To create this kind of rice water, all you need to do is place your organic rice in a bowl of water and let it soak for 30 to 45 minutes. Give it a final stir, strain it, put the rice water in a spray bottle, and apply it liberally to your plants.
How to use rice water to repel pests
Rice water is a cheap, effective way to repel pests and fertilize your plants at the same time. Whether you choose to make a washed rice solution, a boiled rice solution, or fermented rice water, all of these options contain beneficial bacteria that help build soil structure and deter common garden pests and diseases. Your plants can reap the benefits of rice water using a few different methods.
Another option is to boil your rice for about 45 minutes in more water than you typically would. Next, strain your rice into a bowl or other container and let it cool. Then, take the cooled water and water your plants with it.
Perhaps the most nutrient-rich and pest-repelling option is to make fermented rice water. It takes a bit more time, but it is worth the wait. It's supercharged because the fermentation process breeds higher levels of lactic acid bacteria. This beneficial bacteria has been known to increase your plant's natural defenses against diseases like powdery mildew. Simply add rice and water to a jar, let it sit, and ferment for four days.
Garden enthusiasts have discovered a new hack to boost plant growth and fight off pests: rice water. By filling a spray bottle and misting the leaves and soil of garden plants, nutrients can be absorbed more effectively. For potted plants, soaking the pot in rice water for an hour can provide a much-needed boost. Another method involves a soil drench, where the entire garden bed is watered with rice water to target pest issues. Whichever application method is chosen, the benefits are clear: reducing waste, improving soil and plant health, and saving money in the process. This simple rice water hack is revolutionizing plant care for green thumbs everywhere.
