Your Garden and Cinnamon
Cinnamon likely has a prominent spot in your kitchen if you enjoy baking. Although sweet desserts may come to mind first when you think of cinnamon, it’s ideal in many savory dishes as well. But you can expand your use of cinnamon beyond the kitchen, too. Cinnamon makes an effective tool in the garden for helping plants to grow and preventing pests.
Reasons to Use Cinnamon
Cinnamon is readily available in any grocery store. Cinnamon is also reasonably priced, often more so than other products you might purchase for the garden. Cinnamon is also a natural ingredient that doesn’t contain toxic chemicals. When you want to grow organically, cinnamon is an excellent ingredient for many common gardening tasks.
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Use as a Rooting Agent
When you take cuttings from plants or flowers and you want to root them, the standard process involves using hormone rooting powder. Instead of purchasing rooting powder, you can use cinnamon. Cinnamon has been found to be just as effective for stimulating root development in plant cuttings, and it’s only necessary to apply it once. Sprinkle one teaspoon of cinnamon on a paper towel, moisten the plant stem ends, and roll the cutting in the paper towel so it’s surrounded by the cinnamon. Plant the cutting in potting soil and the cinnamon will encourage root development.
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Use as a Fungicide
Plant cuttings are often susceptible to a fungus that attacks the new root growth. When you use cinnamon as a rooting agent, it also helps prevent fungus attacks on the new growth. Cinnamon is also helpful for preventing rust and other types of fungus on seedlings and older plants. Mix one to two teaspoons of cinnamon in water and allow it to sit for about eight hours. Strain out the cinnamon with cheesecloth, and then transfer the mixture to a spray bottle. Spray the cinnamon water on all affected plant parts, including the stem, leaves, and flower. Spray the cinnamon water on the soil or sprinkle plain cinnamon on the soil if soil-borne fungi are present. If you notice mushrooms growing in garden mulch, spray cinnamon water on these areas.
Heal Plant Wounds
Wounds from dull garden implements or overzealous pruning can be detrimental to plant health. If this happens, apply powdered cinnamon directly to a plant wound. You can also make a thick paste with equal parts of cinnamon and water and apply this to a plant wound. The cinnamon will help the plant heal faster.
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Deter Insects
Sprinkle cinnamon on the soil around the garden to prevent mosquitoes. You can spray cinnamon oil around the garden to keep mosquitoes away, too. Cinnamon won’t kill ants, but they seem to avoid it. To keep ants away from areas, sprinkle a line of cinnamon to surround the area.
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Deter Other Pests
If rabbits and other furry pests are wreaking havoc in a garden, use cinnamon to deter them. Cinnamon won’t harm these small animals. Cinnamon contains volatile oils, so it can confuse animals that rely on scent instincts. Sprinkle cinnamon on the ground around your garden and rabbits and mice will often avoid the area.