Get Outside, Stay Comfortable: Essential Oil Recipes for Gardeners
As we head into gardening season, this is the perfect time to pull out some of our favorite oils for outdoor support. Gardeners spend a lot of time in the places bugs love most – grass, soil, wooded edges, and shady damp spots. These simple DIY recipes are a practical way to use your Young Living oils before you head outside, helping you enjoy your garden time with more comfort and peace of mind. Whether you’re planting flowers, pulling weeds, or just soaking up a beautiful day outdoors, a little oily preparation can make the experience so much better.
Recipe for Chiggers and Ticks
20 drops citronella
10 drops eucalyptus
10 drops lemongrass
5 drops basil
5 drops melaleuca
Fill a 4 oz plastic flip top bottle nearly full with coconut oil, massage oil base or V-6 mixing oil.
Add 1 teaspoon of mixture. (Just a side note, although the recipe calls for massage oil, as someone recently pointed out, water in a spray bottle works much better.)
DIY Deer Fly Spray
2 oz witch hazel or vodka
2 oz distilled water
20 drops Purification
10 drops peppermint essential oil
10 drops Lemongrass essential oil
5 drops Tea Tree (Melaleuca) essential oil
Optional: 1 tsp vegetable glycerin (helps the scent last longer)
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a 4 oz glass spray bottle.
Shake well before each use.
Spray on exposed skin and clothing before going outside.
Tips:
Reapply every 1–2 hours or after sweating.
Spray on hats, sleeves, and pant legs for added protection.
Store in a cool, dark place when not in use.
DIY Outdoor Spray
2 oz witch hazel or vodka
2 oz distilled water
20 drops citronella
10 drops peppermint
10 drops Lemongrass
5 drops Tea Tree (Melaleuca)
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a 4 oz glass spray bottle.
Shake well before each use.
Spray on exposed skin and clothing before going outside.
Our go-to favorite is Young Living’s Purification blend—it’s a must-have that we never leave home without.
One thing that I have found that really works great on ants of any kind is peppermint. Put peppermint across the door seal or places you know ants come in.
To get rid of moles in the yard, put some Peppermint Oil on a few cotton balls and push the cotton balls down into the mole holes. They don’t like the smell of Peppermint Oil and will leave. ~ Diane
Essential Oils to Keep Bugs Off Plants
Once your garden beds are prepped and planted, the next challenge is protecting your plants from pesky insects that can damage leaves, stunt growth, or ruin your harvest. Essential oils provide a safer, natural alternative to deter harmful bugs while supporting a healthy garden ecosystem. Many oils contain powerful plant compounds that naturally repel pests without disrupting the balance of your garden. Here are some of the best essential oils you can use to help keep bugs away from your plants.
For plants infested with insects, use one of the following essential oils. Fill a mist spray bottle with 4 oz. of water, add the essential oils and mist the infested plant. Use as little as possible. Several applications, a few days apart, may be necessary.
Specific Oils for Specific Insects
Ants Peppermint, Spearmint
Aphids: Cedarwood, Hyssop, Grand Fir, Peppermint, Spearmint
Beetles: Peppermint, Thyme
Caterpillars: Spearmint, Peppermint
Chiggers: Lavender, Lemongrass, Sage, Thyme
Cutworm: Thyme, Sage
Fleas: Peppermint Lemongrass Spearmint Lavender
Flies: Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage
Gnats: Lavender, Patchouli, Spearmint
Mosquitoes: Lavender, Lemongrass, Geranium
Moths: Cedarwood, Hyssop, Lavender, Peppermint, Spearmint
Plant Lice: Peppermint, Spearmint, Peppermint, Tea Tree
Slugs: Cedarwood, Grand Fir, Hyssop, Pine
Snails: Cedarwood, Grand Fir, Pine, Patchouli
Spiders: Peppermint, Spearmint
Ticks: Lavender, Lemongrass, Sage, Thyme
Weevils: Cedarwood, Patchouli, Sandalwood
DIY Pest on Plants Spray
16oz glass spray bottle
8oz distilled water
8oz alcohol-free witch hazel
20 drops Peppermint
20 drops Eucalyptus
15 drops Hyssop
15 drops Pine
Spray directly onto plants and soil as desired or needed. You can also spray a sponge with this solution and clean the plant leaves. To deter mice, squirrels, etc., place a few drops of undiluted peppermint oil on a cotton ball and place it near your plants or on the perimeter of your garden.
Garden Recipe for Squash Bugs
1 quart water
5 cloves garlic
1 tsp dish soap
1-3 drops of either oregano, basil or thyme essential oil
Puree garlic cloves and essential oils in 1 quart of water. Strain into a spray bottle and add 1tsp of dish soap. Shake lightly before use. Spray product on squash bugs.
DIY Mildew Spray
Glass spray bottle
4oz distilled water
20 drops Tea Tree
10 drops Lavender
10 drops Thieves
Spray directly onto plants and soil. Plant leaves can be sensitive to this oil, so don’t over apply and avoid spraying in direct sunlight. If you need to apply to the leaves, spray onto a damp cloth and gently wipe the leaves as needed.
From Diffuser to Dinner: Fresh Ways to Use Lime
With a bright and refreshing citrus scent, Lime essential oil smells just like freshly sliced limes. Like all citrus essential oils, Lime is cold pressed from the peel to release its fresh, invigorating aroma. It is a wonderful oil for anyone seeking a little more positivity, inspiration, and brightness in their day. Its uplifting scent can help spark creativity, support mental clarity, and bring a cheerful boost to your mood.
Lime is also a beautiful addition to your skincare routine. When applied topically and properly diluted, it can help promote radiant, healthy-looking skin. It blends especially well with other citrus oils such as Lemon, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Orange, and Tangerine, making it easy to create fresh diffuser blends, body care recipes, and household favorites. Lime is also an important ingredient in Young Living favorites like Thieves Fruit & Veggie Wash, Common Sense, and Stress Away essential oil blends.
From freshening your home to adding a little zing to your recipes, Lime is one of those versatile oils that can quickly become an everyday favorite.
Here are a few ways to use Lime Essential Oil
Because Lime is a citrus oil, it may cause photosensitivity. Avoid applying it to exposed skin before spending time in the sun.
• Enhance radiant looking skin by adding a couple of drops of Lime to your moisturizer.
• Combine Lime, Geranium, Northern Lights Brue Spruce, Grapefruit, and Lemon Myrtle for an amazing Blue Volcano diffuser blend!
• For an extra boost of citrus throughout the house, add a few drops of Lime to your Thieves Household cleaner.
• Make your bath a tropical getaway! Simply add lime and coconut oil to your Epsom salts and enjoy your personal oasis.
• Diffuse Lime with Peppermint essential oil for an energizing space that let’s your creative energy flow.
• Infuse your Ningxia Red or water with the tartness of Lime Vitality.
• Add some zing to your favorite guacamole recipe by adding 1-2 drops of Lime Vitality.
• Diffuse Lime in classrooms or children’s play areas for an environment that fosters imagination and joyful feelings.
• Enhance the flavor of meat and veggies by adding Lime Vitality to your favorite marinade recipe.
• To freshen your refrigerator, add several drops to a box of baking soda and keep it in the refrigerator to absorb odors.
Refreshing Limeade
3-½ cups cold filtered water (divided if making a simple syrup)
3 teaspoons liquid monk fruit (or 1 cup granulated allulose)
½ cup fresh lime juice (about 4-5 large limes)
ice for serving
In a small saucepan over the stovetop, combine 1 cup of the water (set aside the remaining 2-½ cups) with 1 cup of allulose (see recipe notes for using granulated monk fruit sweetener). Heat and stir until the sweetener dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool.
Pour the remaining 2-½ cups of water into a pitcher. Add the fresh lime juice and the liquid sweetener (either the simple syrup you made or liquid monk fruit). Stir to combine.
Chill the limeade in the refrigerator or serve immediately over ice with garnishes of choice (optional).
Notes
If using liquid monkfruit, you can easily sweeten this limeade at the very end. Start with 1 teaspoon and stir it in, then add more as needed.
For a more mild lime taste, substitute ¼ cup of the lime juice for fresh lemon juice (this tip also comes in handy if you don’t have enough limes on hand!).
Add fresh basil or mint leaves right before serving otherwise the leaves will spoil after being submerged in water for a while.
Guacamole
2 ripe avocados, seeded and mashed with a fork
1-2 T red onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed/minced
1–2 drops Lime essential oil
2–3 dashes hot sauce
1 small Roma tomato, diced
1 t fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
Salt to taste
Directions: Add avocado to a small mixing bowl. Mix into the avocado the red onion,
crushed garlic, diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, and salt to taste. Add a little lime essential oil and taste; add more to taste.
Serve with tortilla chips.
Honey-Lime Marinade
Ingredients
3/4 cup olive or other oil
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1 tablespoon honey
3 drops Lime Vitality essential oil
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Combine all ingredients and pour over chicken in a shallow glass bowl or baking pan.
Cover and refrigerate for 1–4 hours before grilling.
Discard marinade after use.
Salsa
6 Tomatoes, diced in small chunks (Or one 14-1/2-ounce can of tomatoes)
3 or 4 seeded and minced jalapenos
3 Garlic cloves, minced
1 cup Cilantro, finely chopped (add more if you are like me an LOVE Cilantro) 😉
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 lime, juiced
1 drop of Young Living Lime Vitality Essential Oil
Mix all ingredients together.
Serve with crackers or your favorite nacho chips.
Citrus Fresh-Lime Baked Chicken (from Young Living blog)
Ingredients:
organic, whole chicken
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 whole garlic bulb, peeled and crushed
1 medium yellow onion
1 lemon, quartered
1/2 lime, quartered Spices:
1 tsp. turmeric
3/4 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. rosemary or a large bunch of fresh rosemary sprigs
1/8 tsp. black pepper or lemon pepper
Young Living Essential Oils:
3–5 drops YL Citrus Fresh Vitality essential oil
3–5 drops YL Lime Vitality essential oil
Preparation:
Heat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Remove gizzards and goodies
from the inside of the chicken. (Don’t laugh—it’s easy to forget!)
Use glass baking pan and spread with coconut oil. Chop garlic and onion.
Combine all spices in small glass cup, add essential oils, and mix with a toothpick.
Quarter lemons and limes, squeeze over chicken. Stuff chopped garlic, onion,
lemons, and limes into the chicken. Trickle overflow chopped items and add
any optional vegetable(s) (potatoes or other favorites) around the chicken.
Place extra fresh rosemary sprigs around the inside of the pan.
Baste chicken 1–3 times while baking. Bake for approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
Add 3 drops of each in the palm of your hand and rub behind the ears and back of neck.
Add 3 drops of each to an empty vegetable capsule.
Add 3 drops of each to your diffuser.
Try adding a couple drops of Lime Vitality Essential Oil to your favorite beer or mixed drinks.
