Spring is here and so are the bugs. However, you can still enjoy being outside without being attacked. There are plants you can incorporate into your yard and near your garden to deter the bugs and critters. Use plants such as lemongrass (also known as citronella grass), bee balm, ageratum, marigolds and catnip. Lemongrass deters many insects but it attracts honey bees. Animals do not like peppermint, spearmint, sage brush, daffodils, hyacinth or rosemary.

Your garden can also benefit from essential oils. Make these mixtures at home to repel bugs and suppress fungus. Use 100% therapeutic-grade essential oils. Store your mixture in colored glass to protect the essential oils from the sun and to avoid the oils from eating through the plastic. It also prevents plastic from leaching into the spray. Colored glass bottles are readily available online. Remember, never spray in the heat of the day; early morning or late evening is best.

BUG REPELLANT

In a glass amber 16 oz spray bottle mix:

5 drops rosemary

5 drops peppermint

5 drops thyme

5 drops clove

Fill the rest of the bottle with water

Always shake well before each use. Spray on your garden to keep pests away.

SUPPRESS FUNGUS

In a glass amber 16 oz spray bottle combine

1 tablespoon tea tree oil

Fill the rest of the bottle with water

Always shake well before each use. Spray on plant to suppress fungus.

Garden Easy is a family-owned business. Teresea and Courtney Metzger help customers create edible yards. They build, plant, maintain, and harvest raised-bed, organic and non-GMO gardens. For more information call 321-312-9783 or visit GardenEasyGardenst.wix.com/Garden-Easy.