What is neem cake

Neem Cake uses different mechanisms to help control nematodes and plant pathogens which are soil borne. Urea is produced by animals and humans but it is also produced synthetically with anhydrous ammonia. This is a form of nitrogen fertilizer with a NPK nitrogen- phosphorus-potassium ratio of When Neem Cake is used with urea and other fertilizers with nitrogen in them, it increases their efficiency because it reduces the rate of nitrification. This then reduces the rate that the nitrogen is released and increases the length of time nitrogen is in the soil.

Now Neem Cake makes the soil become more fertile because it has an ingredient in it that blocks soil bacteria from turning nitrogenous compounds into nitrogen gas. This is what prolongs how long the nitrogen is available in the soil for both the growing of long duration crops and short duration crops.

Neem Cakes come in different types of packaging and there are different ways to use them. Below is a list of the different types of cakes available:. Neem Cakes are applied when you are preparing your soil for sowing. You will need to plough the soil deeply and mix the Neem Cakes thoroughly in doing this.

By mixing the cakes thoroughly through the soil, this will yield you better results with your harvest. Neem Cake not only works as an organic fertilizer, but it can also be used as an IPM fertilizer when used with mixed crops. When using it in mixed crops, it enhances the IPM techniques.

It is an approach which uses different crop management and growing strategies to yield the most crops with a minimum use of pesticides. If you are planning to switch from a chemical fertilizer to Neem Cakes, you will need to apply both over time still while in transition.

Reduce the chemical fertilizer you are using continuously until you are just using the Neem Cakes in place of the fertilizer. Since Neem Cakes are effective longer and decompose so slowly, their use is more cost effective as well as better for the environment in the long run. This makes Neem an acceptable alternative to harmful fertilizers and pesticides. Good Nature is an Organic Lawn Care company dedicated to providing you with the best services and information to have a healthy, chemical-free lawn and landscape.

Call Us. Good Nature Blog. Neem Cakes for Gardening. Benefits of Using Organic Neem Cakes as a Soil Amendment The use of Neem, in its various forms, in gardening and farming for amending the soil is a well-known practice.

Where Does Neem Come From? Ways Other Parts of the Neem Tree are Used Every part of the Neem Tree has a use and these have been well documented: The Neem Oil which is extracted from the Neem Seeds has insecticidal and medicinal properties and is used in pest control. Neem Seed Cake is used as a soil amendment which enriches the soil and lowers nitrogen loss. On existing garden beds or pots, sprinkle a small amount of Neem cake powder onto soil surface and mix into topsoil with a tool.

Estimated 1 tablespoon for pots around 30cm wide. When it is done this way, it gives better results than when it is only applied to the surface of the ground. If neem cake is mixed with the soil around the roots of plants, vegetable bushes, and trees, it will boost the immune system of the plant. Neem cakes are more cost-efficient because the fertilizer in them lasts longer.

The neem cake remains effective until the next crop is planted because of its long sustaining of organic fertilizer compounds. This, in turn, cuts the cost of having to add extra nutrients. This soil amendment is twofold. It will provide a better crop yield because it will provide the nutrients required by crops. And secondly, it helps to cure diseases and also controls the growth of nematodes and harmful plant pathogens.

Neem cakes can also improve the organic content of the soil by providing lots of micro and macronutrients. This also improves the fertility of the soil in which your plants or crops are planted. The use of neem cakes will increase the water holding capacity of the soil and also improve the soil structure.

With soil improvement, there will be an increase in beneficial organisms like earthworms. Neem cakes will control harmful organisms like nematodes and pathogens. The use of these cakes reduces the alkaline content in the soil because when they decompose, they produce organic acids. Neem cakes have a relatively low NPK ratio, with most cakes rating and the higher-end ones rating You can blend 2 to 2.

Neem cakes contain nortriterpenoids and isoprenoids, which help keep nematode populations under control. The trace chemicals kill lawn grubs and other forms of ground pest. It can also slow and sometimes even stop fungal root rot, some bacteria, and other harmful plant pathogens.