I'm no expert, but I do seem to remember in the one report I read about neem (Azadirachta indica) trees, the plants around them were still eaten by insects. Plus, all that foliage will negatively effect the amount of sunlight your veggies will receive, so I'd stick with the spray.

I'd dispute the contention that neem oil/extracts are more toxic than fatty acid-based insecticidal soaps. ANY substance, organic or not, can be toxic if applied in great enough concentrations. Neem has been used as an herbal remedy and dietary supplement by populations in its natural locale for centuries with documented beneficial effects. The big advantage to neem oil over other organic controls is its adaptability for numerous purposes, as both an insecticide and fungicide and as an effective control of other disease pathogens. There is a very scholarly article on the pros and cons of neem oil/extracts available online, however it requires membership to the site or payment to download and view. A google search with the key words "neem oil, harmful side effects" should turn it up. Otherwise the attached is a good, well-rounded treatise on this organic control. Here is a link that might be useful: Neem oil

"I read the label - several times. 99% of products do not like to mention their problems, the 1% that do are not around long...." If you truly believe that then it is probably best to not use anything on your garden food. Federal regulations on pesticide labeling are so over-whelming and so specific that the label usually ends up being bigger than the bottle the product is in. You don't mention the brand you are using but I pulled up the labels from the three common brands and every single one of them lists hazards to humans and domestic animals, environmental hazards, first aid, precautionary warnings, etc. including warnings about the hazards to bees and other beneficial insects. http://www.bonide.com/assets/Products/Labels/l024.pdf http://www.biconet.com/botanicals/infosheets/70NeemOilLabel.pdf http://www.fertilome.com/ProductFiles/40712%20Neem%20Approved%2005-15-12.pdf The primary ingredient in the product sold for home garden use is 40-70% Clarified Hydrophobic Extract of Neem Oil. Azadiractin is but one component of the tree Melia azadirachta L. foliage and bark. The extraction process used determines how much of that particular compound remains in the oil once processed. Dave

Hi Moses, Neem is pretty much the only form of pest control I use for my roses. Recipe for soil drench: 1 tablespoon per 1 quart water (metric 15ml/liter). Add a few drops of dish soap just to get it to mix evenly. For foliar spray, same recipe but a little less (10ml/liter max). Another thing I really like to use is neem meal, mixed in with the soil at the time of planting or scratched into the surface if you've already planted. Neem meal is also a fertilizer so it's a double whammy!