05/17/2025
Essential oils can be powerful allies in the garden for repelling pests, attracting pollinators, and supporting plant health — all without synthetic chemicals. Here’s a quick guide on which oils to use and how to apply them:
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Top Essential Oils for the Garden & How to Use Them
1. Peppermint
Repels: Ants, aphids, beetles, spiders, and rodents.
Use:
Mix 10–15 drops with water in a spray bottle.
Spray around plant bases, garden beds, and borders.
2. Lavender
Repels: Fleas, moths, mosquitoes, and flies.
Attracts: Bees and pollinators.
Use:
Add to cotton balls and tuck near plants.
Spray diluted solution around flowers.
3. Tea Tree (Melaleuca)
Fights: Fungal infections and mold on leaves.
Use:
Mix 1 tsp baking soda, 5 drops tea tree oil, and water in a 16 oz spray bottle.
Spray on affected leaves in early morning.
4. Rosemary
Repels: Cabbage moths, slugs, and beetles.
Use:
Spray around brassicas and leafy greens.
Diffuse outdoors (if using on patios/decks).
5. Citrus Oils (Lemon, Orange, Lemongrass)
Repels: Ants and aphids.
Use:
Add to a spray bottle with castile soap and water. Spray plant stems and leaves.
6. Clove or Cinnamon
Repels: Slugs and snails.
Use:
Spray perimeter of garden or sprinkle diluted drops on rocks near garden beds.
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General Garden Spray Recipe
Use this all-purpose spray to deter most bugs and support plant health:
Ingredients:
20 drops Peppermint
15 drops Tea Tree
15 drops Rosemary
1 tsp Castile soap
16 oz water
Directions: Mix in a spray bottle and shake well before each use. Spray leaves (top and underside) every few days, early morning or evening.