Scent-Sational Gardening: Essential Oils for a Healthier Spring Garden

As you prepare your garden space for the growing season, it’s important to protect yourself from unwanted pests like chiggers, ants, and ticks that can make time outdoors uncomfortable—or even hazardous. These tiny invaders thrive in grassy, wooded, and damp areas, which are often just the kind of places gardeners love to work in. Thankfully, essential oils can offer a natural and effective way to defend against these pests without resorting to harsh chemicals. With the right combination of oils, you can create a protective barrier that helps keep your skin bite-free while supporting your body with the uplifting, grounding benefits of pure botanicals. Up next is a simple DIY recipe to help you enjoy your gardening time with more comfort and peace of mind.

 

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.

 

Bath and Body Dupes Diffuser Blends

Vanilla Dream

This sweet and comforting blend wraps you in warmth and coziness, perfect for a relaxing evening.
Inspired by: Warm Vanilla Sugar

3 drops Vanilla
2 drops Cinnamon Bark
2 drops Copaiba

Citrus Sunshine

A bright and cheerful blend that uplifts your mood with fresh floral notes balanced with citrus.
Inspired by: Sweet Pea

3 drops Grapefruit
2 drops Lime
1 drop Geranium

Garden Bloom

This blend creates an exotic, floral aroma reminiscent of a blooming garden in spring.
Inspired by: Japanese Cherry Blossom

3 drops Lavender
2 drops Ylang Ylang
1 drop Frankincense

Ocean Breeze

Refresh your space with a crisp, ocean-inspired blend that brings the seaside to you.
Inspired by: Ocean Mist

3 drops Eucalyptus
2 drops Bergamot
1 drop Cedarwood

Autumn Spice

Capture the essence of a cozy fall day with this warm, spicy blend that’s perfect for cooler months.
Inspired by: Sweater Weather

2 drops Clove
2 drops Cinnamon Bark
2 drops Orange

Fresh Orchard

This blend combines fresh and fruity notes for an invigorating aroma that feels like a walk through a sunny orchard.
Inspired by: Country Apple

3 drops Lemon
2 drops Bergamot
1 drop Patchouli

Enjoy these delightful diffuser blends, each designed to evoke the beloved scents of Bath and Body Works while using the natural goodness of Young Living essential oils.