Essential Oils and Gardening

Essential oils used in your garden can deter pests and pathogens from infecting your plants. Strong and healthy plants resist disease which will produce higher yield and more fragrant crops.  Many plants have symbiotic relationships which you can utilize by either growing the plants next to each other or by adding the essential oil of the beneficial plant to water.

Mix 6 drops of essential oil to 2 gallons of warm water stir then let it cool. Fill your watering container half full with the essential oil water then top it off with cold water, stir again and water as usual.

Treatments for Insects and Pesky Bugs

Ants: Peppermint, Spearmint

Aphids: Peppermint, Spearmint, Cedarwood, Hyssop

Beetles: Peppermint,  Thyme

Chiggers: Lavender, Lemongrass, Thyme

Cutworm: Thyme

Flies: Basil, Clove, Lavender, Peppermint,, Rosemary, Citronella

Mosquitoes: Lavender, Lemongrass

Moths: Peppermint, Lavender, Hyssop

Plant Lice: Peppermint, Spearmint

Slugs: Cedarwood, Pine, Hyssop

Snails: Patchouli, Pine

Spiders: Peppermint

Spider Mites - Rosemary

Squash Bugs: basil, eucalyptus or peppermint

Ticks: Lavender, Lemongrass, Thyme, Sage

Weevils: Patchouli, Cedarwood

Wooly Aphids: Patchouli, Pine

Application Methods

Sprays: Use 4-8 drops of essential oil to 1 gallon of water for spraying on flowers fruit and vegetables. Sprays are best used as insect deterrents, dish detergent, to rid plants of mold and mildew and to encourage growth.

Hanging Strips of Cloth:  Place 1 drop of undiluted essential oil on a cloth strip and attach to a pole or hang from a branch. Use multiple strips of cloth to cover desired area. Caution: Most essential oils should never be used undiluted on the skin, if you are handling cloth dipped in essential oils, rubber gloves are advised

Cotton Wool:  Bury small cartons, such as yogurt containers, in the ground keeping the top level with the soil. Add 4 drops of essential oils with strong odors such as Peppermint, Thyme or Eucalyptus and refresh as needed. The strong scent of these essential oils will help deter all ground moving insects i.e. slugs, snails, mice; as well as cats and dogs.

Compiled by Roberta Waterworth, Aesthetic Candles – robiewaterwth@gmail.com