Looking for a low-cost organic insecticide and germicide for your garden? JADAM Sulfur (JS) is the answer to keeping your garden free from pests and disease while actually increasing the overall health of your plants. In addition to controlling insects, JS is an effective tool against most pathogens, including anthracnose.

Insects do not develop a tolerance to JS even with repeated applications. JS should be used in combination with JADAM Wetting Agent (JWA) for the greatest success. Sound too good to be true? This is seriously an incredible pesticide that you can make at home for less than you may imagine.

You can visit JADAM’s website and learn the techniques directly from the professionals. This recipe can be found in the book, JADAM Organic Pest and Disease Control. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is trying to grow a sustainable, organic garden on a budget.

In this post, we demonstrate how to make a 10-liter batch of JADAM Sulfur using the directions on page 46 of JADAM Organic Pest and Disease Control by Youngsang Cho. Check out the video below.

How much does it cost to make JS?

JADAM Sulfur can be made for as little as one dollar for a quart. It should be used along with JADAM Wetting Solution which also can be made for about one dollar a quart.

How much JS do I need for my garden?

A quarter-acre garden will use about 20 liters annually. We mixed up a 10-liter batch that should be enough to take care of our needs for a couple of years. There isn’t any problem with creating larger batches to have on hand because it will pretty much stay good forever if stored properly.

Will JS harm or damage bees?

JADAM recommends a dilution rate of less than 500 to prevent harm to bees.

What is the shelf-life of JS and how should it be stored for best results?

JADAM Sulfur solution is shelf-stable and does not have an expiration date. It should be stored above 23 degrees F or -5 degrees C.

What dilution rate should I use with JS?

JADAM recommends a dilution rate of 100 to 1000 when using JS. For crops that are sensitive to JS such as grapes, cherries, persimmons, and greenhouse crops a dilution rate of 1000 should be used. Always conduct a test for concentration damage on a small area before using JS for the first time. More recommendations can be found on page 47 of JADAM Organ Pest and Disease Control.

Ingredient List to Make 10-Liters of JADAM Sulfur Solution

1. 2.5 kg or 5.51 pounds of sulfur (99% pure).
2. 2 kg or 4.41 pounds of sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
3. 0.05 kg or 0.11 pounds of phyllite or Azomite (optional)
4. 0.05 kg or 0.11 pounds loess (optional)
5. 250 g or 0.33 pounds of sea salt
6. 5 liters of water (initial amount)
7. 3.2 L or 0.85 gallons of water (added water)

Step-By-Step Instructions to Make 10 Liters of JADAM Sulfur Solution

• Wear personal protective equipment including long rubber gloves, eye protection, and protective clothing and footwear. These are dangerous chemicals and you must take precautions. In our video, we used safety glasses but we should have worn goggles.
• Start with a clean, heat-resistant container. We used a large 20-liter stainless steel pot. The chemical reaction produces a lot of heat and the container must be able to withstand boiling. You will also need a long wooden stick to stir the mixture.
• It is a good idea to have a non-contact infrared thermometer gun handy to monitor the temperature of the solution while you are melting the sulfur.
• Important: add ingredients in the order listed.

1. Pour 2.5 kg or 5.51 pounds of 99 percent pure sulfur into the pot.
2. Add 0.05 kg or 0.11 pounds of phyllite or Azomite, if using.
3. Add 0.05 kg or 0.11 pounds loess, if using.
4. Add 250 g or 0.33 pounds of sea salt.
5. Add 2 kg or 4.41 pounds of sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
6. Add 5 liters of water all at once and stir with a wooden stick making sure to mix the sulfur on the bottom of the pot. Continue stirring throughout the process.
7. Monitor the temperature of the mixture. If it exceeds 80 degrees C, add 1 to 2 liters of water to prevent the solution from boiling over the top of the pot and overflowing.
8. Continue to stir until all of the sulfur is completely melted. This process should take about 20 minutes.
9. Add the remaining 3.2 L or 0.85 gallons of water and stir.
10. Cover the container and allow the mixture to settle for a day or two.
11. Filter the mixture to strain out the sediment.
12. Package JADAM sulfur solution in liquid-tight containers. JS is shelf-stable and should be stored above 23 degrees F or -5 degrees C. It has an indefinite shelf-life.

Sustainable Organic Home Food Production

It is more important now than ever to take control of our food security and produce whatever we can in our own backyards. We invite you to join us on our journey as we learn how to successfully grow organic produce at home. JADAM has shared some valuable techniques that can help tackle many of the problems faced by the home gardener for a fraction of the cost with a higher success rate.

Thanks for being part of the solution!

Jonathan and Kylene Jones