How To Use Castor Oil In Home Gardening: Benefits, Uses And Precautions

Castor oil comes from castor beans and has been used for many years in home-brewed remedies in holistic medicine. Experienced gardeners around the world, however, have also long used castor oil in their gardening as a secret garden pest control, plant food and soil conditioner. Here is how to use castor oil in your home garden, the benefits, how to use the castor oil in your home garden, as well as the precautions you have to take to keep a dense home garden.

What Is Castor Oil and Why Is It Used in Gardening?

According to AA Home Gardening, “Castor oil is a thick and pale yellow vegetable oil obtained through the process of pressing castor beans. Gardening-wise, castor oil is employed as a natural deterrent rather than a nutrient supplement. The oil contains a compound called ricinoleic acid. The compound is known for having a pungent taste and smell that many burrowing creatures find very distasteful.”

Unlike other chemical pesticides, it is biodegradable and non-hazardous to the environment if used appropriately. In this way, it definitely acts as a physical deterrent as well as through sensory exploration, making it an ideal option for an organic gardener who wants to take care of an underground menace without polluting the soil.

Benefits of Using Castor Oil for Plants

• Castor oil, when applied to the tunnels and food sources-worms and grubs- of burrowing animals, in turn causes them considerable digestive upset and a foul taste.

• It discourages many leaf-eating insects and soft-bodied pests when sprayed in a diluted form on your greenery.

• Fatty acids contained within the oil may, in very small amounts, improve the water-repellency of a soil of certain types, a subsidiary benefit.

• It provides a way to protect your lawn and flower beds without introducing synthetic toxins that could potentially kill bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators.

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How to Use Castor Oil in Home Gardening

To use castor oil effectively, it must be mixed with water, as oil and water naturally separate.

1. Standard Mole Repellent Recipe

• Mix six ounces of castor oil and two tablespoons of liquid dish soap, which serves as the emulsifier, are required.

• This mixture is to be added to a garden sprayer that contains one gallon of water.

• Spray the solution over the areas where you can see molehills or tunnel ridges.

• This involves lightly watering the area to help the oil soak into the soil where the pests reside.

2. Foliar Spray for Pest Control

• Mix one teaspoon of castor oil and a few drops of mild soap in a quart of water.

• Spray lightly upon the leaves of hardy plants for pest control of chewing insects.

• Before using any oil, it is essential to test it first on one leaf to make sure that the plant does not react sensitively to the oil.

Precautions While Using Castor Oil in Gardening

While castor oil is a natural product, it requires careful handling:

• The oil is considered safe, but the beans contain ricin, a potentially lethal toxin. Avoid planting the seeds if you have pets or kids.

• Some dogs seem to find the scent of the oil or the soap used in the solution interesting. It is therefore recommended to wait until the solution has penetrated the earth and dried before allowing pets to access the treated region.

• Care must be taken that the oil is not sprayed on walkways, decks, or stepping surfaces, which can be slippery.

• Do not apply any castor oil sprays during direct mid-day sun, since it actually works like a magnifying glass for the sun’s rays, resulting in leaf burn. Apply in the early morning or late evening.

• Too much oil may lead to an accumulation that prevents oxygen from passing to the soil. Be sure to use the recommended dilution.

Image credits: Freepik

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