The Secret of Basic H® in Your Garden

Summertime is when all of us want to enjoy the beauty and bounty of our gardens – but who wants to spend all their time taking care of them?

Basic-H® has been used for years by farmers and home gardeners alike to reduce the amount of watering time, improve the quality of the soil, and treat for pests. Even in those areas where Basic-H® Soil Conditioner is not available, you can still get great results by using Basic-H®, and Liqui-Lea®.

Be careful to note special circumstances, such as whether to spray on foliage, to apply only to the soil around plants, avoid spraying on blooming trees or plants, and other restrictions. Basic-H is a surfactant, not a fertilizer, so don’t use one concentration for all uses, or you will kill the plants you love.

Soil Preparation

For new vegetable or flower beds, and new lawn areas Mix 1 pint Basic-H to 3 gallons water for an area of 1,000 sq. ft. (20 feet x 50 feet). Wet down with sprinkler or till in immediately.

Using a hose applicator, set the dial to 7 Tablespoons to 1 gallon water.

Lawns

For growing lawns in the spring and fall, using a spray applicator, set the dial to 7 Tablespoons per gallon. If using an Ortho sprayer, fill the bottle with 2 Tablespoons Basic-H and water, and spray evenly over the lawn. Repeat until the entire lawn is treated.

Transplanting

For transplanting flowers, vegetables, trees, shrubs Mix 1 oz. Basic-H to 1 gallon water. You may also add 2-3 teaspoons Liqui-Lea. Add a small amount to the hole before planting.

Seed Planting

Before planting seeds (If you don’t use this recipe, then you will need to use the one below).

Coat hard seeds with Basic-H full strength; when planting, just add water to the seed furrow.

When planting seeds (If you used the recipe above, you don’t need to do this.) Mix 1 oz. Basic-H to 1 gallon water; pour this mixture into the seed furrow before placing seeds. You may also add 2-3 teaspoons Liqui-Lea.

Plant Feeding

For house plants Mix 4 drops (a little less than 1/8 teaspoon) Basic-H to 16 oz. water. You may

also add 1 teaspoon Liqui-Lea. Mix 4 drops (a little less than 1/8 teaspoon) Basic-H to 1 quart water. Water plants every other week.

Mist plants with a mixture of 2 drops Basic-H to 16 oz. water.

For outdoor plants (foliage feeding) Mix 1 oz. Basic-H and 1 Tablespoon Liqui-Lea® to 4 gallons water. Spray every 7-9 days; apply in the evening or on dark days.

For tomatoes Mix 10-12 drops Basic-H  (not quite ¼ teaspoon) to 16 oz. water. Apply to ground around the plant, not directly on the plant.

For small trees and shrubs Mix 1 teaspoon Basic-H to 1 gallon water; apply with watering can or hose applicator.

For evergreen shrubs Mix 1 teaspoon Basic-H and 1 teaspoon Liqui-Lea to 1 gallon water.

For trees, fruit trees mark or trench an area about 1/3 distance from the trunk to the drip line.

Pour 1 quart Basic-H into the soil; let the hose run for 30 minutes.

Insect Spray

G/H Concentrate - Make a concentrated mixture of 1 part Basic-G and 3 parts Basic-H.

NOTE: Not all of the following recipes use this mixture. Do not to use this for every insect problem. Do not apply Basic-G to edible plants and do not allow it to puddle where a child or pet could get into it. 

For tender plants Mix 1 oz. Basic-H to 5 gallons water. Do not spray when plants are in full bloom.

For vegetables (NOT tomatoes) Mix 1 oz. Basic-H to 3 gallons water.

For tomatoes (for thrips, fleahoppers, etc.) Mix 1 teaspoon Basic-H to 1 gallon water.

For gardens and flowers Use 1 oz. G/H concentrate to 2.5 - 5 gallons water; plant size and maturity determine strength. Do not spray when plants are in full bloom.

For roses Mix 1 teaspoon Basic-H to 1 gallon water. Spray rose bushes to protect them from spiders and other diseases and insects.

For lawn grubs Mix 1-1/2 pints Basic-H and 4 oz. Basic-G to 5-6 gallons water. Spray every 100 feet with an Ortho bottle or use an injector.

For shrubs and trees (bagworms, web worms, etc.) Mix 1 Tablespoon G/H concentrate to 1

gallon water. Spray every 7-9 days until blossom – do not spray when trees are in full bloom.

After bloom, mix 1 Tablespoon Basic-H to 1 gallon water, spray every 3 - 4 weeks.

For picnic areas Mix 1 oz. G/H concentrate to 1 gallon water. Spray one hour before picnic.

For problem insects (squash bugs, bag worms, fleas, ticks, etc.) Mix 1 oz. G/H concentrate to 1

gallon water; spray lawns, trees, dog houses, kennels runs, etc.

The Gardener’s Friend

The Invisible Glove Rub Basic-H full strength on your hands, and allow to dry. You can work without gloves, and when the task is done, rinse all the grime away under the spigot. Basic-H will coat your skin, and won’t come off until you add water.

Insect repellent - Rub Basic-H full strength on your arms, ears, neck, anywhere (avoid eyes). If you use Shaklee Sunblock SPF 30, apply the Basic H on top.

HAPPY GARDENING!

Please note: There are two different kinds of Basic-H – there is the Classic Basic-H which I prefer, which comes in 5 gallon & 30 gallon sizes. The amounts used in these recipes are for the Classic Basic-H and is best for the plants.

The second type of Basic-H is Basic-H2, which comes in both 16 oz. and 64 oz. This formula is twice the concentrate of the Classic Basic-H, so be sure that if you are using Basic-H2 that you cut all dilutions in half!

Please follow directions carefully. When in doubt, less is best.

We are not responsible for injury or loss. User assumes all risk.

These recipes, tips, and uses have been compiled from the Field, and are not endorsed by Shaklee Corporation.