Gardening with Essential Oils

Essential oils are powerful garden tools that can be used daily to help promote the health and vitality of yourself and your garden. Because they are safe and effective, essential oils provide a great alternative to garden chemicals. In this article you will learn how to use essential oils to protect you and your plants against environmental threats and to promote the health of your garden.

Whether you are trying to chase away garden pests, improve health and growth of plants, or restore those gardener hands, essential oils can help. Conventional insecticides contain harmful chemicals that could be dangerous to pets and other family members.

Plan Ahead

Write down your goals and what you want to accomplish this spring season. Start with a general list first, then develop a detailed plan for each category. Whether its spring cleaning, planting a garden, or improving your lifestyle, developing a plan will help you stay on track with your desired accomplishments.

Gardening

A recent study in the Netherlands suggests that gardening can fight stress even better than other

relaxing activities. Gardening can be a fun and rewarding experience for the entire family. Start by allocating an area, clean it, and prepare for planting. Purchase seeds, transplants, soil, and any other necessary tools. If you are an inexperienced gardener, do some research online or ask someone you know to guide you through the process.

Improve Your Diet

Explore local farms and markets for fresh, in-season produce. Use leafy greens to make green smoothies and fresh salads. Prepare a light dinner with asparagus, carrots, and potatoes along with other nutritious veggies. Replenish your body with vitamins and minerals for more energy and a healthier body. Consider adding quality supplements such as the Daily Nutrient Pack to your daily diet for complete nutritional support. Just like your house, your body may also needs a refresher. Drink plenty of water and use Zendocrine® and GX Assist® to cleanse and detoxify your body. (email me for more info about these natural, helpful supplements)

Become More Physically Active

Make exercise part of your regular routine. Exercise can reduce stress, improve sleep, sharpen memory, improve self-confidence, inspire creativity, and help you find balance. Now, that the outside temperature is warmer, you can go on a jog, take a bike ride, or enjoy a nice hike. Take one step at a time. Developing regular exercise habits takes time and effort. Teach your kids to be more physically active by setting an example— encourage them to discover activities that they will enjoy.

Challenge: Make a goal to exercise for 30 minutes a day at least three times a week.

Spend Time Outdoors

Nature offers many benefits to your mental and physical well-being. Daily exposure to the sun can boost your mood, increase energy levels, and improve your overall health. Enjoy beautiful spring weather by going on a short walk, organizing a picnic, doing some yard work, or taking your kids to the park. Just a little bit of sunshine and fresh air can help you clear your mind and recharge your body.

Pests

The most general thing to do for any bug problem is to keep the garden area clean and free from debris and hiding places for bugs. Peppermint, clove, cedarwood, geranium, lemongrass, rosemary or arborvitae essential oils repel bugs naturally. Using any of these oils (10 drops) with water in a spray bottle and spray the areas of concern (pants and under the leaves).

Aphids. Use neem oil based spray. Plant certain "trap crops" like alyssum, dill and yarrow around the garden to attract aphids.

Squash bugs. They can survive cold winters and hide almost anywhere. Check for eggs under the leaves, they are usually orange in color. Squish them before they hatch. Try planting Hubbard squash, they like these plants.

A recipe I have had a lot of success with, and many others is my Garden Spray.

Add 12-15 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil

12-15 Drops of Rosemary

1 tsp. of Natural Dish detergent

Water to fill 16 oz. spray bottle

Mix well in spray bottle and spray your plants, be sure to get under the leaves. Do this when its not the hottest part of the day. Reapply as necessary, usually after it rains, or once/week.