Natural Garden Recipes
Here are wonderful alternatives to synthetic chemicals — and they’re easy to make.
Gin Weed Control:
- 1 oz. gin
- 1 oz. apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. baby shampoo
- 1 quart water
Mix ingredients in a bowl; transfer to a spray bottle. On a hot, sunny day, spray this mixture on the weeds.
Cat-Away Solution:
- 2 Tbsp. cayenne pepper
- 3 Tbsp. powdered mustard
- 5 Tbsp. plain flour
- 1 large bowl
- 2 quarts water
- 1 funnel
- 1 plastic spray bottle
Mix dry ingredients in bowl; add water. Pour mixture through the funnel into the plastic spray bottle. Spray mixture where you want cats not to tread.
You can also try planting catnip in your garden’s entryways.
Molasses Spray:
- 1 cup molasses
- 1 cup seaweed powder (optional)
- 1 cup powdered milk (optional)
- 1 cup soft phosphate (optional)
- 1 gallon warm water
- 1 pump sprayer
- 1 women’s nylon
- 1 fine mesh strainer
Mix molasses and powders into a thick paste. Add about 1 cup of the paste in the nylon; tie into a ball. Place the ball in water; let sit for 3 hours. Strain the liquid into the pump sprayer. Mist plants every 2 to 3 weeks.
Note: This is a boost to ordinary molasses — used in fighting or preventing fungus. It doubles as a foliar feed as well.
Vinegar (Fungus Gnat Fighter):
- 1 small jar
- 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- Water
Fill the jar 7/8 of the way with water; add vinegar. Place the near houseplants or ripening fruit — the liquid acts as a bug trap.
Coffee Grounds
Sprinkle ordinary coffee grounds around plants.
Note: This is an excellent source of nitrogen, tannic acids and other nutrients.
Compost Tea With Garlic, Peppers and Molasses:
- Compost
- 2 to 3 jalapeño peppers, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- Molasses
- 1 women’s stocking
- Water to cover the mixture
Fill the stocking with compost. Add jalapeños and garlic. Place stocking in a bucket. Add water and molasses. Let the mixture steep for 2 days; strain into a spray bottle. Spray mixture throughout your yard.
Note: The jalapeños and garlic repel insects, the molasses stimulates microbiotic activity and the compost is a natural fertilizer.
Dog Deterrent
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- 1 pungent onion, chopped
- 1 quart warm water
- 1 tsp. Tabasco sauce
- 1 tbsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 bucket
Mix the all ingredients in the bucket; let mixture stand overnight. Pour wherever dogs are likely to dig or lay.