Fenugreek can be grown during fall to early winter season. They grow best during october-December months. One of the problems with this could be the growth of black small creepy aphids. These insects not only arrest the healthy growth of the plant but also transmit a virus that causes leaves to yellow and stunt growth. Now there are several ways to get rid of these insects, and one effective way is to spray hose of water. This generally dislodges the insect and once they are dislodged, there is a very less likelihood that they will be back! The other way is to spray them with mild soap water. Soap water washes off Aphids waxy coating and causes it to dehydrate and die.
You may like to cook your otherwise healthy looking fenugreek leaves even though you are disgusted by the site of these nasty little bugs. Just pluck the healthy looking leaves and stems and soak them in mild dishwashing solution(2-3 drops of detergent in 4-5 cups of water) detergent for 15-20 minutes. If you soak it longer, then the leaves may retain water by osmosis. Then wash the leaves and stems for atleast 5 times, to get rid of the residual soap solution. Then you may notice all these black bugs dead sedimenting at the bottom of the container. You can now safely cook methi leaves(fenugreek leaves)
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