Natural Beauties Blooming in a Toxic Free Garden
As I have continued on my essential oil journey, I have slowly detoxified my life. First it was what I used on my family and my skin and body, then I focused on what I put in our bodies, and next was what I cleaned my house with. I have used a homemade spray around my house to keep bugs away for a few years, and it works so well!! I actually used my Anti-Creepy Crawly spray last summer when we had an insane gypsy moth infestation in my neighborhood. I sprayed my house and yard everyday and we definitely had less damage than other neighbors. (Be sure to grab the recipe on the Essential Oil Recipes for Home Page.)
So as winter was coming to an end I started to ponder and research if oils can be used to care for our gardens, not just for past control, but to support and nourish the plants and help them grow.
On my quest to find natural gardening tools to nourish and protect my plants this summer, I learned we definitely can use oils to care for our gardens!!! Of course, the primary use is to deter insects from feasting on our plants. But they can also be used to keep fungus and mold away, to attract bees and butterflies (pollinators which we need to have beautiful flowers and prolific veggie gardens), but we can also make blends that nourish and help feed our plants so they grow strong and healthy! I definitely plan to start using all of these recipes to care for my plants (indoors and outside as well!)
Top Oils for Gardening:
Rosemary: This herbaceous, woodsy essential oil is wonderful for repelling many pests and even the larva! If you place a few drops on a potted plants pot, it will deter bugs from chewing up the plant! But it also is a pollinator attractor- Butterflies love it!!!!
Peppermint: Is an excellent oil for repelling many types of bugs, including aphids, flies, beetles, spiders, and ants, plus it will even deter vermin as well. Place a few drops on cotton balls and place around the garden to keep pests way, and also use a spray with peppermint in it to keep pests from eating your plants.
Melaleuca (Tea Tree): Is a wonderful oil to have in your tool kit. It is a natural insect repellent, but the best use for it is to fight mold and fungus, especially in house plants! Make a spray and mist the plants and soil.
Lavender: A great pollinator attractor! Butterflies and Bees love it! Place a drop or two on cottonballs or directly on terracotta pots to attract them.
Wild Orange: This very fresh and sweet aroma attracts bees and butterflies. Combine with lavender and rosemary in a spray to attract pollinators.
Cinnamon: This oil is fantastic at getting rid of weeds! Make a spray bottle with water and several drops of cinnamon & spray the weeds safely. It also is a natural insect repellent . So that is great as well.
Using actual cinnamon powder is also a wonderful way to keep pests out of the garden. Spray plants with repellent and then sprinkle some cinnamon in the soil around the plants or even around the perimeter of the garden. My father does this to keep ants out of his bee hives, and I literally sprinkled cinnamon around the perimeter of my house when we had ants getting in. They stopped right away!!
On Guard Concentrated Cleaner: is a natural insecticide, anti mold and fungus!!! This is kind of the all in one, get the job done answer since it is a blend of oils that nourish, protect and maintain health.
Other oils great for maintaining and nourishing plants health:
Basil, Geranium, Frankincense and Lemongrass: Encourage growth
Recipes for Plant Care:
Insect Deterrent: In a large spray bottle combine 12 drops each: Rosemary, Peppermint, Clove and Thyme. Fill with water, shake and spray plants to keep pests from eating plants.
Plant Fungus Spray: In a large spray bottle add 30 drops melaleuca and fill with water and spray plants and soil to keep fungus away.
Overall Healthy Plant Spray: Fill a large spray bottle with water and top with enough On Guard Concentrated Cleaner to see a color change to the water. Shake it and spray plants and soil. This will serve as a insect repellent, as well as get rid of/ prevent mold or fungus and it will nourish plant. Added bonus to maintain health- sprinkle cinnamon powder in soil around plants or garden.
Grow Big and Strong Blend: Use any of the following oils or a combo to encourage growth and health of plant: In a large spray bottle add 30 drops total of one or more oil: Basil, Lemongrass, Frankincense or Geranium. Fill with water, shake and spray on plants and the soil.
Pollinator Attractor Blend: In a large spray bottle combine 10 drops each: Wild Orange, Lavender and Rosemary, fill with water, shake and spray on plant or on a cotton balls and place them around the garden.
(Other pollinator attractor oils: Neroli which is from Orange Blossoms, Marjoram, Basil, Sage, Fennel & Helichrysm)
Non-Toxic Weed Killer:
Vinegar is an effective herbicide and weed killer.
In a large spray bottle add 10 drops clove and 10 drops cinnamon essential oil and then fill with white vinegar. Shake well and spray on weeds.
Recipes for People and Pets:
Insect Repellent: DoTERRA makes an awesome insect repellent called Terrashield. You can get it in a spray bottle or a 15 ml bottle undiluted and make your own spray or lotion.
But if you want to make your own Insect repellent here is a recipe that is fun, you can mix and blend your own:
Insect Repellent:
In a 4 oz spray bottle add 1oz witch hazel and 1 oz jojoba oil (it is a
natural insect repellent. ) Now add oils:
Base: 4 drops Eucalyptus (natural repellent)
4 drops Peppermint (repels ants, flies, lice and spiders)
Middle: Choose 1 or 2 oils (add 10- 15 drops of each)
These are all effective for repelling all insects
These oils aromas will be longer lasting and the main ingredient in this blend. So pick one you love.
Clove
Lavender
Melaleuca (Tea Tree)
Rosemary
Finishing Touch: These final oils help balance the blend.
Choose 1 or 2 oils (add 3-6 drops of each)
Cedarwood
Patchouli
Sandalwood
Arborvate
Once everything is in the bottle, add sprayer, shake and use when going outside to keep pests away (including fleas, ticks, mosquitoes & more)
Bee Sting and Bug Bite Cleanser:
Mix in a small spray bottle:
2 drops Lavender
2 drops Roman Chamomile
1 drop Basil
1 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
Shake well and apply to a cotton ball to fresh stings/bites to cleanse and relieve pain.
Bee Sting and Bug Bite Healing Lotion:
Mix in a small spray bottle:
2 drops Lavender
2 drops Roman Chamomile
1 drop Basil
1 teaspoon Carrier oil (Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil ect...)
Shake well and apply to a cotton ball or spray directly on bug bite or bee sting and massage in. This lotion will easy itch, sting, and pain.
Fruit and Veggie Wash:
This is a great wash to clean your fruits & veggies whether you buy them or grow them yourself.
Fill a bowl or your sink with cold water, 1/2 cup of vinegar and 6 drops of lemon or wild orange essential oil. Place fruits and veggies in wash and soak for a few minutes and then rinse well.
