Are you a gardener?? I am, and I love spending time taking care of my garden and ensuring that my plants are healthy and beautiful. What I don’t love? Using toxic chemicals on my plants.
Natural is the way to go when it comes to growing and caring for plants. Did you know that some essential oils have incredible benefits for your garden?
Here’s a collection of some of my favourite way to use essential oils for gardening!
Video: Natural Pollinator Attractor Spray and more!
Check out my tips for making your own DIY plant sprays!
Natural Insect Control Spray
Both flower and vegetable gardeners are often looking for ways to keep pests out of their plants, and many homeowners search for solutions to deter ants and other pests from making a home in their walkways, patios, and driveways. Instead of turning to toxic chemicals, you can use essential oils to do the job!!
- 8 oz spray bottle
- 15 drops Peppermint essential oil
- Water
Add oils and fill bottle with water. Shake well and apply anywhere you want to control insects, including ants, aphids, and beetles. This spray is safe to use on plants. Use 2x per week.
**Alternative recipe: 10 drops Peppermint and 10 drops Rosemary. This may also help to deter animals from entering your garden!
**For gnats and spiders, try 10 drops of Peppermint and 10 drops of Citronella essential oil.
Rodent Repellent!
Apply 1-2 drops of Peppermint essential oil to cotton balls and tuck them into the entrances of mouse holes, squirrel nests, and other rodent burrows to persuade them to relocate!
Antifungal Garden Spray
Fungus is not something that a gardener wants to see growing in the garden!
If you see greenish or whitish growth on the soil around your plants (including houseplants!), give this a try. The spray works to kill the fungus without harming plants or contaminating the soil with toxic chemicals.
- 8 oz spray bottle
- 15 drops Tea Tree essential oil
- Water
Add Tea Tree essential oil to bottle and fill to top with water. Shake well and spray directly on soil. Avoid stems and leaves.
Natural Garden Tool Disinfectant
Just like people, gardens need good hygiene to stay healthy!
Good garden hygiene helps to reduce the incidence of pests and diseases in your garden. An important aspect is cleaning and disinfecting your garden tools. Equipment like clippers, secateurs, shears, trowels, and spades can spread disease among plants if they’re not cared for properly.
Cleaning and disinfecting are two separate steps. Cleaning involves physically removing soil, debris, and sap. Wipe your tools with a damp cloth before disinfecting, because soil and other organic residues reduce the effectiveness of disinfectants.
- 15 drops Tea Tree essential oil
- 8 oz. water
Combine in a spray bottle and shake thoroughly before use.
To disinfect naturally, spray the Tea Tree solution onto clean tools and let sit for at least 2 minutes, then dry VERY thoroughly with a clean cloth. You can also prepare the solution in a tub or bucket and dip equipment for 2 minutes, then dry. Use the solution to keep your watering can clean, too.
I’ve put together a custom Gardener’s Kit that you can purchase, containing Peppermint, Lavender, Citronella, Tea Tree, and Rosemary essential oils, plus TerraShield Spray — all the essentials for an all-natural garden! Feel free to customize it further to meet your exact needs!
Enjoy your time in the garden: It’s good for your plants, and good for you, too!
