Oh, honey, honey!

Let's talk about that sweet nectar produced by the amazing teamwork of bees and flowers. This tasty, golden liquid is used daily to spread on toast, drizzle over vegetables, or sweeten a hot beverage. There are so many delicious ways to use this natural substance, but did you know that honey can also be used in your garden?

When honey is added into your garden, you offer a natural way to boost your garden’s growth, revive dying plants, and even keep away unwanted pests. Don’t believe it? Take a look at these five reasons to use honey in your garden today!

It's important to note that when applying honey in your garden, keep in mind that you should always dilute honey in water (except for propagation through cuttings – see below for more information). Doing this will help reduce the likelihood of drawing more pests.

1. Acts as a Natural Fertilizer

Spring works in the garden: watering plants watering can

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Looking to improve your garden plants? Water them with a dash of honey!

It has been found that when plants are given a mixture of water and honey, it acts as a natural and organic booster. This is especially true for plants that are flowering or fruiting. It also improves the taste of the fruit they produce, making them even sweeter!

To make this natural fertilizer, add one to two tablespoons of honey in about six to seven cups of hot water, mixing until the honey is dissolved. Let the mixture cool (never water with hot water – it can kill your plants!), add it to your watering can, and soak the ground around your selected plant so it can reap the benefits of this honey-water fertilizer.

2. Provides Anti-fungal and Antibacterial Properties

Honeycomb with delicious honey on black background

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It is common knowledge that honey is good for our health – we put it in our tea to soothe a sore throat and add it into lozenges to relieve cold symptoms. The same goes for plants. Honey is filled with antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that provide anti-fungal and antibacterial protection. A dose of honey might help a plant re-establish stronger roots or assist it in overcoming disease.

3. Revives Dying Plants

garden tomato plant that is dying

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If you have done everything you can for a dying plant (checked for signs of overwatering, removed dead leaves, got rid of pests, etc.) the next method is giving your struggling plants some honey. A spritz of honey on the leaves or a mixture of honey-water fertilizer (see above for recipe), might be just the thing it needs.

When dying plants are given honey, it provides them with an abundance of nutrients that assist with revival. Honey has been observed to protect and aid plants against various diseases or even root rot. Just the thing your plants need to perk up and thrive!

 4. Helps Cuttings Thrive

Man gardening in backyard. Worker's hands with secateurs cutting off wilted leafs on grapevine. Seasonal gardening, pruning plants with pruning shears in the garden

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Propagating plants through cuttings is a great way to grow entirely new vegetables, herbs, flowers, bushes, or trees. The issue is, sometimes it can be difficult to nurture these cuttings in order to grow and survive on their own. Honey is here to help! Putting honey on cuttings protects the severed ends and promotes new growth. The properties in honey work as a ‘rooting hormone’ to encourage a cutting to establish sturdy roots.

To enhance the natural growth and survival of a cutting, dip the cut end directly into a small bowl of honey, then place the honey-dipped cutting into a pre-made indentation in your garden soil. Push the dirt around the propagated stem/leaf to fill the hole and support the cutting. Then sit back and watch it transform into an entirely new plant.

5. Used to Draw Out and Trap Pests

Snail crawling along leaf in garden

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Do you have a garden that is being overtaken by slugs, flies, or gnats? Use honey to draw unwanted insects and capture/kill them so they will no longer bother your plants.

To create a slug trap, find a small container and insert it into your garden soil, keeping the opening level with the ground. In this container, pour a mixture of honey and yeast which will draw the snails in, trapping them in the sticky liquid, and allow you to remove them at a later time.

If your problem is with flies or gnats, honey is helpful to trap these insects too. All you need is an empty soda bottle! Simply cut the soda bottle in half and fill the bottom half with a mixture of honey and water. Then invert the top of the bottle so the screw-top opening is pointing down to the inside of the bottom half. Secure the two halves, and set it outside where the pests are most concentrated. As a result, your new trap will draw flies in, prevent them from escaping, and save your plants the nuisance!

That's it Honey!

With the aid of this easily attainable and affordable ingredient, use honey to help your garden thrive. Grab some honey today and start improving your plant’s roots, keep away pests, and propagate new growth!

Want to help the bees make more of this amazing liquid? Take a look at 7 plants that will attract bees to your garden. More plants, more bees, more honey, resulting in healthier and happier plants!