Castor oil is not limited to its use in beauty products, and there are many ways you can use it, your yard included! Let’s have a look at some of the Best Castor Oil Uses in the Garden!
Have a look at the best coconut oil uses in the garden here
Castor Oil Uses in the Garden
1. Revive Ferns
Castor oil can come in handy to fern fronds and make them look lush again. Mix half a teaspoon of baby shampoo and castor oil in a gallon of water. Add this solution to a spray bottle, shake well, and spray it all over the foliage to make it shiny.
Do this once in 6-8 weeks for best results. Avoid spraying the plant with this solution every week.
2. Polish Your Garden Furniture
Castor oil is an amazing wood polishing agent. According to a study, it is beneficial for protecting wooden furniture. Combine castor and olive oil along with beeswax in equal proportions and heat for 30 seconds. Mix the solution well to get a uniform consistency.
Dab a cloth, apply it on the wooden surface, and make it shine like new again!
3. Deter Skunks
Skunks hate the smell of castor oil and avoid any contact with it.
- Mix 1 cup of castor oil to 1 cup of dishwashing liquid.
- Add the solution to a liter of water and spray it on the area where skunks frequent
Here’s a list of homemade solutions suggested by the Animal Care Services, California, to deter garden animals such as skunks and opossum.
4. Mole Repellent
Research conducted at the University of Nebraska states that castor oil is pretty beneficial to drive these animals away, thanks to its strong scent.
- Combine three tablespoons of castor oil and dishwashing soap.
- Mix the solution in one gallon of warm water and shake until it foams.
- Wet the infested areas and any visible molehills with the solution. Castor oil upsets the digestive function of the moles and makes their skin itchy if contracted topically.
5. A Good Lubricant
Door hinges, handles, garden swings, and gates require some lubrication from time to time. Applying a few drops of castor oil will make them smooth while saving from rust.
6. Natural Bug Repellent
According to the study published at the Crop Protection Unit, India, using castor, eucalyptus, neem, and pongamia oil in equal concentrations is quite beneficial to take care of pest and bug problems.
Make sure that you test the solution on a small patch before applying it to the entire plant.
7. Natural Hand Cleanser
- 1 Tablespoon Organic Castor Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Liquid Soap
- 4-5 drops Lavender oil
- 5-8 drops Thyme oil
- 8-10 drops of Tangerine oil
Mix well and use the solution to wash your hands after a day’s work in the garden. It will clean your hands while keeping them soft and supple.
8. Wound Salve
A study by the National Library of Medicine shows the effectiveness of castor oil in healing. Apply it to the minor cuts and wounds that you may get after working in the garden.
9. Use it to Moisturize Dog’s Skin
Castor oil helps to keep skin allergies, ticks infestations, fungal infections, and cysts in dogs at bay.
After giving your dog a good bath, massage the skin and hair with a healthy dose of castor oil and comb the hair properly. You can also make DIY dog shampoo using this oil.
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