My friends all know that there is not one area of my life where essential oils don’t play a part.
I believe in living a green life, free of pollutants and nasty chemicals. One place I feel that chemicals can so often be over-used is in our gardens, the chemicals available to get rid of garden pests are incredibly strong and the problem is that they don’t just kill the pests they enter our soil, our plants and potentially our bodies.
I have recently started growing a veggie patch with my kids and we are so excited with all of our lovely fresh produce. Its alos been a good opportunity to start investigating some natural receipes to keep the bugs and slugs away.
Many people haven’t realised how effective essential oils can be at protecting your garden and plants in a natural and environmentally friendly way. Essential oils are packed full of highly aromatic substances that can have a powerful effect on pathogens and insects, helping to protect your garden. Different oils contain different compounds and offer varying protection to plants, so below is a guide I have put together to help you embrace essential oils in your garden.
Please be aware that essential oils can be powerful and some manufacturers add synthetic additives to their oils that aren’t natural, which can impact the efficacy of the oil. I only ever use doTerra essential oils as are they are certified pure grade, so have no added synthetic ingredients or harmful contaminants.
Green Life Organics Green Garden Guide
Problem | Oils to Protect | Usage Ideas |
General bug deterrent Aphids, flys, beetles | Peppermint Rosemary | Spray on to plants using a mix of 1-2 drops of essential oil per litre of water.
Place a few drops of the oil onto a cotton ball and place in a buried yoghurt pot around the plants. |
Aphids | Cedarwood Peppermint Spearmint | Follow ideas for general bug deterrent |
Ants | Peppermint
Spearmint | Follow ideas for general bug deterrent |
Beetles | Peppermint Thyme | Follow ideas for general bug deterrent |
Caterpillars | Peppermint Spearmint | Add 1-2 drops of essential oil per litre of water and pour into the soil around your plants. |
Greenfly | Lavender | Follow ideas for general bug deterrent |
Fungus and Mildew | Tea Tree | Mix 8 drops of essential oils with four litres of water and spray onto plants, making sure you spray the top and bottom of the leaves. Apply several times over a few days. |
Mosquitos | Lavender Lemongrass Arborvitae | Add three drops of Lemongrass essential oil to a bowl of water and soak strips of fabric in the water before hanging onto tree branches. |
Moths | Cedarwood Lavender Peppermint Spearmint | Follow ideas for general bug deterrent |
Slugs | Cedarwood Pine |
Bury a yoghurt pot into the soil to make it level with the top of the ground, add four drops of essential oil. Add 1-2 drops of essential oil per litre of water and pour into the soil around your plants. |
Snails | Patchouli or Pine | Add 1-2 drops of essential oil per litre of water and pour into the soil around your plants. |
Weevils | Sandalwood | Follow ideas for general bug deterrent
|
Other Oily Gardening Tips
To deter animals
You can protect your plants from animals such as cats and dogs by deterring them with strong oil scents such as peppermint, eucalyptus and rosemary. Add a few drops of the oil to water and spray your plants regularly, or you can pop a few drops of the oil onto a cotton ball and place in small pots around your garden.
To help kill weeds
Fill a 16-ounce glass spray bottle with a 50/50 water/white vinegar solution leaving an inch or so of room at the top.
Add 10 drops of Cinnamon essential oil and 10 drops of Clove essential oil
Shake well before each use and apply the spray to the weeds (do not spray on your garden plants) making sure you spray the stems and undersides of the leaves as well and spray again after each rainfall.
To encourage pollination
Butterflies love the smell of lavender, if you spray a solution of water combined with drops of lavender essential oil around your garden it will help to attract butterflies and bees, encouraging pollination. You can also place a drop or two of the essential oil onto a cotton ball and place into pots around the garden.
To strengthen plants
If some of your plants are struggling, try some Roman Chamomile essential oil, it is thought to strengthen ailing plants. Add 1-2 drops of Roman Chamomile essential oil to a litre of warm water, mix the solution and wait for it to cool. Add the solution to a watering can, top-up with cold water then it is ready to water your plant.
Disclaimer:
Please remember that these are powerful oils and supplements and shouldn’t be used without checking directions on how to use these safely. Always consult with your doctor if you are unsure or you are taking medication.
The information in this blog is intended for education purposes only, the statements have not been evaluated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or Theraputic Good Association (TGA). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Anyone suffering from any disease, illness or injury should consult with a medical practitioner. These suggested uses applu only to certified Pure Theraputic Grade (CPTG) Doterra Essential Oils.
What Next?
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Happy and healthy living!
Tanya