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Pests can be a significant issue for plant enthusiasts, especially when they damage their precious plants. Chemical pesticides can be effective, but they often carry risks for humans, animals, and the environment. Fortunately, nature provides an alternative in the form of essential oils. With their natural and safe properties, essential oils can help repel pests in an environmentally friendly manner. Here, we discuss some of my favorite essential oils for your plants and how you can use them to protect your plants. Which oils for what? Thyme: Thyme is known for its powerful antimicrobial and insect-repelling properties. Mix a few drops of thyme oil with water and a bit of liquid soap, then spray this mixture on plants affected by aphids, mites, or other small insects. Peppermint: Peppermint has a strong scent that repels many insects, including ants, cockroaches, and spiders. Place cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil around affected areas of your garden or in the plant pots, or add a few drops to a spray bottle with water and spray it on plants and around them. Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus is effective against mosquitoes, flies, and beetles. Dilute eucalyptus oil with water and use it as a natural spray. It can also help repel rodents such as mice and rats. Sandalwood: Sandalwood has a discouraging effect on termites and mosquitoes. Add a few drops to the water when watering plants or place cotton balls soaked in sandalwood around the plants in your garden or indoors among the pots. Spruce: Spruce can be used to repel slugs, which often damage leaves and crops. Apply a few drops of spruce to the edges of planters or around garden beds. Ideal if you want to start your own vegetable garden with natural pest control. Lavender: Lavender has a pleasant scent for humans but is unpleasant for many insects, including moths, mosquitoes, and fleas. Use a few drops of lavender oil on cotton balls and spread them around the garden. I also add this to my daily plant spray. Lemon: Lemon is effective against flies and mosquitoes due to its refreshing scent. Add a few drops to a spray bottle with water and spray this mixture on plants and around the garden. Patchouli: Patchouli has powerful insect-repelling properties and can be used to keep mosquitoes, ants, and fleas at bay. Mix a few drops of patchouli with water and use it as a spray or on cotton balls. Clove: Clove is effective against ants and mosquitoes due to its strong scent. Mix a few drops of clove with water and spray it on problem areas in the garden or indoors. Basil: Basil can help repel mosquitoes and flies. Use it as a natural spray by mixing a few drops of basil with water and applying it to plants. Rosemary: Rosemary has antimicrobial properties and can help repel insects such as aphids and moths. Add a few drops of rosemary to water and use it as a spray. Closing Recipe When using essential oils for pest control, it's important to be cautious and dilute the oils before applying them to plants to prevent damage. Additionally, regular application is often necessary, especially after rain or watering, as essential oils evaporate quickly. With this natural approach to pest control, you can enjoy a lush and healthy garden without harmful chemicals. I personally create a preventive blend of Thieves, Purification, lemon, lavender, and peppermint to combat a wide range of pests. Additionally, I add specific oils to the blend when pests appear. I use the spray every other day for my plants. The recipe: 750 mL water 2 drops Thieves 2 drops Lemon 2 drops Purification 2 drops Lavender 2 drops Peppermint When a pest issue arises, I always take a moment to research the anatomy of the pest, such as spider mites. This helps me determine which oils to use for treatment.

As a proud plant parent, you naturally want your green jungle to thrive and flourish. In addition to sufficient sunlight and water, nutrition is an essential part of a healthy diet for your plants. But what, when, and how should you feed your plants? Don't worry, we have the answers for you! Why do plants need nutrition? Just like humans and your fur babies, plants need nutrients to grow, bloom, and stay strong. These nutrients are usually taken from the soil, but over time they can deplete or be washed away with frequent watering. That's why it's important to regularly feed your plants to ensure they get all the essential nutrients they need. What do plants need? The three main nutrients that plants need are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), also known as NPK. These nutrients play different roles in the growth and development of plants: Nitrogen (N): Stimulates the growth of leaves and stems. Phosphorus (P): Promotes strong root growth and flower formation. Potassium (K): Helps with the overall health of the plant, improves disease resistance, and contributes to fruit formation. In addition to these important macronutrients, plants also need other micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and iron, in smaller quantities. When should you feed your plants? The feeding schedule for your plants depends on various factors, including the type of plant, the season, and the growth stage. Generally, you can follow a few guidelines: Growing phase: During the active growth period of your plants, usually in spring and summer, they need more nutrition. Feed your plants regularly during this period, for example, once a month. Rest period: In autumn and winter, many plants enter a rest period. Reduce the amount of food you give or stop feeding altogether during this period, unless you have a specific evergreen plant that continues to grow actively in winter. Flowering phase: When your plants bloom, they need extra phosphorus for proper flower development. Use a fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content during this period. How should you feed your jungle? There are several ways to provide nutrition to your plants: Liquid fertilizers: These are easy to add to the water you normally use to water your plants. Follow the instructions on the packaging for the correct dilution and frequency. Fertilizer granules: These can be easily added to the soil around the plants. Make sure to lightly work them into the soil and avoid contact with the leaves to prevent burning. Organic fertilizers: These are derived from natural materials and break down slowly, gradually releasing nutrients to the plants. They are a good choice for those who want to garden organically. Always remember to follow the recommended doses and observe how your plants respond to the nutrition you provide. If you notice they are getting burned leaves or showing signs of excessive growth, reduce the amount of food you give. Good luck! Share your experience with the tips and feel free to ask your questions in the comments!

Lavender is known for various functions, but did you know that it can also be used for plants and pets? For Humans In our case, lavender is known for its calming scent. It promotes relaxation, a good night's sleep, and also alleviates headaches. Additionally, lavender can help soothe allergic reactions and is very effective against itching. Did you know that lavender is also great for the skin? I integrate it into my scar roller, especially after experiencing a lot of acne over the past year. For Animals Does lavender actually help the same way for animals? Because we want to protect our pets from ectoparasites in spring, lavender is also superb. Lavender has an unpleasant odor for fleas, ticks, flies, moths, and mosquitoes. I use it myself in combination with the lava bead collar. This way, Fox and Lou are always protected by wearing it. For Plants As you read above, this is also good against ectoparasites. I prepare a bottle with water once a week and add a few drops of lavender. This prevents infections in your living room from your plants. You mist the plants, and you're done. Another thing you can do is set up a diffuser with lavender. Humidity is good for your plants, but the irritating scent is also effective against flies. Do you want it in your home? Click on the photo.

First of all, a happy New Year! Full of love for you, your pets, and may your plants flourish into giants. Let me reintroduce ourselves! We have some new members, and in January, we are launching our online cours! Hey, I'm Bo, the owner of Pets & Plants. Started as a hobby but quickly turned into a side business. Besides this, I still work full-time at Covetrus. I graduated as a veterinary nurse in 2020, but after nearly 3 years in this job, it turned out to be physically challenging for me. I have scoliosis, and the lifting became too much for my back. In March 2023, I decided to work at Covetrus in customer service. I actually help your pets behind the scenes since we are the wholesaler for veterinarians. Now, a bit more about myself—I'm 25 years old and love being in nature. I prefer to walk with our mascot, Fox. This bear is almost 7 years old and still as crazy as a puppy. Currently, we're finishing our "must-do" hike. We really want to complete the Mullere-Hal trail as long as we can, doing it in different parts. Fox has hip dysplasia, and unfortunately, in 2023, arthritis was also diagnosed. So, for as long as it lasts, we're going to finish this walk, the entire 112 km. Currently, we've completed 20 km. So, if you have any accommodation tips, please let me know! This is us, the duo behind Pets & Plants.