The leaves of Rustica tobacco are often used by home gardeners to make a very effective insecticide by soaking them in water to make a “tea”.

As with normal tea, boil water and pour onto the tobacco leaves and leave to stand for a day or so. One last vigorous stir before passing it through a strainer and it’s ready.

The tea is then sprayed onto vegetables and flowers using any misting device and lasts up to six weeks.