I'll be the first to say I'm kind of a dork when it comes to the science behind essential oils. I'm extra dorky when it comes to using oils in the garden. I just think using oils in the garden makes understanding how oils work with our bodies easier to understand. Essential oils are a plant's natural defense. They repel pests and predators, help themselves and other plants heal, establish healthy immune systems by being naturally antibacterial, anti fungal and/or antiviral to survive extreme conditions and so on. If you think about the fact that humans and plants are both carbon based it makes sense that the healing and protecting properties of certain plants are transferable and beneficial to other plants and humans. We use these natural defenses to our advantage in our home and in our garden. I mean, if thats not cool, I don't know what is. Below you'll find all kinds of ways to use your oils in the garden.
NEWBIES READ THIS NEW KIT & WELCOME GIFT INFO!! If you're curious about essential oils but haven't started yet you can see the breakdown of enrollment kits HERE. I've also created a special kit just for gardeners and plant lovers. You can find the link to that cart HERE. Feel free to add or remove any oils that don't apply to your needs. Leave that $35 membership fee in the cart to get yourself 25% off for a year, that includes your first order. Checking out through that link also makes me your Wellness Adovocate which means you have support and education 24/7. Anyone who signs up through those links should message me at @Undecorated_Wellness and I'll send you an Amber bottle set as a welcome gift so you can make all of these recipes!!
This is my general pest repellant for garden and houseplants. The oils I added should help repel common pests like ants, beetles, slugs, gnats, and caterpillars. I use this repellent once a week, early in the morning after I water to prevent sun scald. I mist the leaves, undersides of leaves and surrounding dirt for any plants that are showing signs of pest damage. You can reapply this spray after a rain or as often as you need to to get rid of your pests. If you have a lot of plants this mister makes life so much easier!
PEST REPELLANT
In a 16 oz glass spray bottle add-
2 tbsp of On Guard Cleaning Concentrate or Castile Soap
10 drops Peppermint
10 drops Lavender
5 drops Cedarwood
5 drops Lemongrass
Top with water
FUNGUS SUPPRESSANT RECIPE & USE
20 drops Tea Tree (Melaluca) Oil in an 8 oz bottle of water.
Spray top and underside of leaves, mist stems and surrounding dirt to prevent or help cure fungal issues. I use this spray in the early mornings after I water to prevent sun scald. I generally only use it once a week but if we have a big rain or I notice any issues I will reapply it as needed. Plants that are commonly susceptible to fungus are tomatoes, the squash family, cucumbers, melons, grapes, bee balm, lilacs and fruit trees.
This is not a spray that you want to use in gardens or near plants that you do not want to kill. I use this spray in paths, on the driveway, anywhere I'm not concerned about surrounding plants. Saturate the weed in full sun if possible. Apply as often as necessary to kill the weed.
WEED KILLER RECIPE & USE
In an 8 oz spray bottle add 10 drops of Cinnamon Bark Oil and fill with water or white vinegar. I have good luck with water most of the time but for weeds like crabgrass or weeds that are usually pretty hard to kill I add white vinegar instead.
COMPANION PLANT OILS
Companion planting is a common practice among Gardeners. Companion plants benefit each other in nature through their natural essences (aka their essential oils). Some plants provide other plants protection from pests, some help build another plants immune system, some help the flavor of a plants fruit, some plants bring in pollinators and so on. Just like planting companion plants near each other helps benefit other plants so can using a companion oil. These plants support each other because of their specific essential oils so its just as beneficial to use the correct essential oil in your watering can. For more information on companion planting check out this book.
COMPANION OIL USE
In a two gallon watering can, add 5 drops of your companion oil then fill with water. Water the soil around your companion oil.
ATTRACTING POLLINATORS
Bees and butterflies are naturally attracted by the scent of certain plants and flowers, we can use the oils of those flowers to attract beneficial pollinators to our gardens!
Common oils that attract butterflies- lavender, fennel, helichrysum
Add 10 drops to an 8 oz spray bottle, fill with water. Spray flowers and bugs to attract pollinators.