I adore essential oils and regularly diffuse them throughout the home. I'm careful not to overdo it, though, because it can be overdone and make people and pets nauseous. Half an hour to an hour is all you need at a time to benefit from diffusing essential oils.
Living in Australia, we have a significant problem with flies. They love to land on our food, faces, backs and help themselves inside the home to spread their germs.
Fly repellent works wonders; however, it is full of chemicals, and who knows what that stuff is secretly doing to our bodies. The good news is that by using a lemon cut in half and cloves! You can create a delightful natural fly repellent. Yes, it is that simple.
As well as the intoxicating smell, this little trick also looks good on the table or outside setting. Lemons are not always cheap, so if you have the patience grow your own! You can always grow them in a pot. My preferred variety is the Meyer Lemon.
Meyer lemons are smaller and smoother than regular lemons, with deep yellow skin. The differences are noticeable, especially when you consider both varieties side by side. They are also sweeter than ordinary lemons with a spicy bergamot fragrance.
How to Grow Lemons
Choose your sapling carefully, and also, your container will need to be quite significant in size for the lemon to grow. Fill the pot with good quality potting mix, and remember to fertilise regularly. I like to use Fish Emulsion, diluted or the fertiliser from my Bokashi compost bin.* Your lemon tree needs a sunny position to flourish. Lemon trees prefer at least eight hours a day of direct sunlight. If you are growing it indoors, place the tree near the sunniest window.
The container needs adequate draining, so drill a couple of extra holes in the sides to ensure perfect drainage. Adding a 10–15cm layer of 20mm gravel in the base will also help with drainage. To avoid overwatering, the drainage holes assist water in escaping, especially during heavy rain periods. Water your plant twice weekly in winter and daily or every second day during the warmer seasons.
Other Uses for Lemons
Lemon and Thyme Sea Salt
Use the Zest for salads and cooking.
Slice lemons and put them on the stove with simmering water to provide a delightful fragrance to your home.
Slice a few lemons, add them to a bowl of water, and microwave the bowl for five to ten minutes. Then clean the oven with a paper towel.
Clean your silver by combining two tablespoons of lemon juice and a cup of water. Dip a cloth into the solution and rub over the silver.
Make a salad dressing but combing lemon, olive oil, salt and pepper with lemon zest and a little honey and dijon mustard.
Make your buttermilk by combing one cup milk and one tablespoon lemon juice, let it stand 5 minutes or until it starts to look a little curdled.
Place a lemon in the microwave for up to 15 seconds for easier juicing.
Clean wooden chopping boards by rubbing lemon and salt into the board. Let it stand for about 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Clean the bathroom. Combine 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, ¼ cup of vinegar and ¼ cup of water. Use a scrubbing brush to get into the grout.
Place lemons in a glass bowl for a cute home decor idea
Lemons are perfect for making quick pasta dishes.
Try adding lemon juice to rice when cooking, and it will result in fluffier rice.
Run a mixture of lemon juice and water through your coffee machine a couple of times to give it a clean.
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