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Neem Tree Farms of Brandon Celebrates 15th Anniversary

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By MONICA BRANDIES | The Brandon News

Published: April 17, 2007

Neem Tree Farms of Brandon is celebrating its 15th anniversary.

Vicki Parsons, a fifth-generation Florida gardener, started the business when she realized she was so chemically sensitive that she was sick every Monday after working in the garden with the usual sprays every weekend.

"I can't even go through Home Depot without my hands swelling and such," she said.

So when she and her husband, Mac, learned about the neem tree and its many safe uses, they rented five acres in Lithia and planted 500 trees. It was, and is, the largest neem farm in the country. It still is the largest even though now it is confined to their normal-sized yard.

"We built a new greenhouse last year thinking it would accommodate our growth for several more years -- it was practically overflowing as soon as it was completed," Parsons said. "There's land nearby but it's so expensive we'll probably have to move in the next year or two to keep up with the demand for living neem trees."

An article in the latest Florida Gardening magazine -- available at some newsstands and at the library -- has more information about how recent research has proven the effectiveness of neem trees and neem products as pesticides:

* "Neem oil is the only thing I've ever discovered," Parsons said, "that really chases off fire ants. If you rub some oil on your hands and feet, the ants climb up and go right back down. Perhaps nothing would bite when I smell like that, but I'd rather smell funny than get fire ant bites. (Make sure the oil is the all-natural version, not the kind that's been formulated to spray.) Neem oil also is a potent anti-inflammatory agent and makes the itch from fire ant, wasp or mosquito bites go away.

* "Neem cake works as a systemic pesticide, plus it chases squirrels out of flower pots and hanging baskets.

* "If your trees are good size, cut back the branches and use them as a mulch around plants that have bugs, particularly veggies. Although not as strong as the neem cake, the branches break down and become a systemic pesticide too, plus you get the water-saving benefits of the mulch. No need to break them up. Just lay them flat where you want them and then use the larger pieces for vertical vines once the leaves have all fallen off.

* "The general recommendation for neem is to mix a pound of neem leaves in a blender and add hot water. Strain it through the leg of an old pair of pantyhose and then hang it in a bucket with 2 or 3 gallons of water overnight. In the morning, mix a little bit of soap in the water and spray plants. Use the ground-up leftover neem as mulch on an extra-sensitive plant."

The Parsons have a booth selling neem trees and neem products at the University of South Florida Botanical Gardens' Spring Plant Sale April 14-15. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $3; parking is free. For more information, call 974-2329.

Monica Brandies can be reached at monica@gardensflorida.com.

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