Jo's Health Corner: Gardening

Essential Oils for the Garden

It might seem to early to talk about gardening when some parts of this country still have snow on the ground. We purchased plants and planted seeds last weekend here in Texas. (We have moved from Texas and we now live in California) My kids were very excited when they noticed that their seeds started to grow already. I don't want to use any chemicals in my garden since they are harmful to our health. Luckily there are safer alternatives to use.

Natural pest deterrents

Essential oils in the plants act as natural pest deterrents and they prevent pests carrying disease that would destroy the plant. Their anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties make them very useful as preventative medicine for the plants. Their jobs is to protect the plant from fungi or bacteria, and to make the plants strong and healthy so they resist disease.

According to Wormwood essential oils also affect they yield by increasing the fragrance or flavor of the fruit, flowers, or vegetables. For example, basil planted around the tomato plant will enhance the flavor of the tomatoes. It also work to add basil essential oils to the water when watering. Roses love garlic, basil and thyme as their companion plants. You can also add the essential oils to the water instead of planting garlic, thyme and basil plants around the roses. Thyme and lavender are marvelous at protecting the vegetables in the patch.

Sprays

Use as insect deterrents to banish mildew and fungi and to encourage growth. Add 4-8 drops of essential oils to one gallon of water. Use to spray onto flowers, vegetables and fruit.

Cotton wool

Use cotton-wool balls to deter insects or burrowing animals such as moles. Add 3 drops on a cotton-wool ball and place it in the burrow or the nest.

Cartons/tubs

Bury old plastic food tubs so its top is level with the ground to keep snails, slugs, mice, cats, dogs and all ground moving insects away. Add 4 drops of essential oils and refill as needed. Use strong oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, spearmint or thyme.

Garden tea
The material should be picked early in the morning before the sun starts and before the flowers bloom, so the essential oils don't evaporate from the plants. Herb/flower teas are made with one cup of dried or fresh flowers to two cup of boiling water. Leave for at least four hours straight. Use two tablespoons of the tea diluted in one gallon of water. Add to a spray bottle or watering can. Leave the tea over night for a more concentrated blend.

Related posts:
Vinegar uses for the garden
Summer, Sun and Insect Spray
Make an easy antiseptic vinegar
How I would deal with a scorpion sting
Herbs and essential oils that I keep in my first aid kit

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Johanna is an aromatherapist and she is passionate about educating people about health, essential oils, real food, natural remedies, and nutrition so they make healthier choices in their lives.
Follow Johanna on twitter and facebook for more health tips and information.

This post is linked to:
Simple Lives Thursday, Tuesday Greens, Wildcrafting Wednesday

7:24 PM | Read more...

Vinegar Uses for the Garden

I think one of the best things to have at home is vinegar since it has so many uses. I like to use Bragg's Raw Apple Cider Vinegar for various things related to health. For example, I mix apple cider vinegar and few drops of essential oils and use as a hair rinse and I use it in skin care. I add the same vinegar to my dog's food, use it in my salsa, and I use it as a rinse for my dog. I also add it to my health drink.

Regular distilled white vinegar is mainly used for cleaning and laundry at my house, but I also use it for the garden. Here are some tips on how you can use distilled white vinegar in the garden:

Spray full strength vinegar on the weeds to kill them, but make sure you don't spray on the grass next to it.
Use undiluted vinegar to kill grass between bricks and sidewalk cracks.
Spray vinegar on areas where ants normally gather or enter the house to keep them away.
Eliminate the anthill by pouring in undiluted vinegar.
Soak old clay pots in vinegar to remove old salt build up.
Sprinkle vinegar on areas to keep cats away. Especially where you don't want them to sleep, walk or scratch.
Clean your birdbath by scrubbing it with vinegar.
Get rid of rust on tools or bolts by soaking them in vinegar for a few days.
Sanitize the outdoor furniture with a cloth soaked in vinegar.
You can increase the acidity in the soil by adding vinegar to the watering can.
To catch moths: mixture of 2 parts white distilled vinegar and 1 part molasses. Place mixture in tin can and hang in a tree.
You can put cotton balls soaked in vinegar in a 35mm film container. Poke a hole in the top and put in the garden to keep rabbits from eating your plants.
Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to 1 gallon of water to clean plastic patio furniture.
Soak the outdoor fountain pump in vinegar to remove any mineral deposits.
Rub your hands with vinegar to remove berry stains on your hands.
Use it to remove mold on things left outside.

As you can see vinegar has many uses, is inexpensive and it doesn't compromise your health! Add some essential oils if you can't stand the smell.

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Johanna is an aromatherapist she is passionate about educating people about health, essential oils, real food, natural remedies, and nutrition so they make healthier choices in their lives.

Follow Johanna on twitter and facebook for more health tips and information.