Christie Brinkley's surprisingly simple secret to a lush garden can be found in your pantry – based on her dahlias, the non-toxic trick is worth it

The model says that 'most everything can be cured with dish soap, vinegar or cinnamon,' and garden experts agree that these can be quite effective

Christie Brinkley
(Image credit: Photo by Jim Spellman/Getty Images via Getty Images)

A garden requires maintenance to look lush and inviting. Thus, we are always looking for tips and tricks to keep our green spaces in tip-top shape.

Christie Brinkley has proposed a few solutions, as per her recent Instagram post of her stunning garden, which features abundant dahlias. It's giving us great insight into how to create a non-toxic garden, and according to Christie, you only need three household items.

'My Secret Garden. It’s all organic, not a single chemical used here!' she writes in the post's caption. 'I promise you most everything can be cured with dish soap, vinegar, or cinnamon. Better for you, your family, and our planet!'

Shop the non-toxic garden edit

According to experts, opting for natural solutions to common pest problems is a great way to ensure that you avoid toxins and save money on gardening.

'If you are looking for natural pest control methods, using household spices is a cost-effective (and organic) option,' explains Thom Rutter, Master gardener and Gardens content editor at Homes & Gardens. 'Indeed, as Christie Brinkley says, spices are considered a worthwhile natural solution, particularly in the summer when pests may be attacking plants.'

Thom says particular spices work well based on your garden's location, so it's a good idea to asses your land and look at the potential deterrants to your garden.

'There are many different products and spices to try, which tend to deter and repel pests as opposed to killing them,' he explains. 'For example, you can use cayenne pepper to deter squirrels, who are purported to dislike the spicy aroma. This can be particularly handy if you live near a woodland area.'

As Christie mentions, cinnamon is also a major player in natural garden remedies. However, Thom notes that chemical sprays are ultimately more powerful.

'In addition, many people swear by using cinnamon as a trick to get rid of gnats,' he says. 'It goes without saying, but these natural methods may be less effective than, say, a chemical spray. But, they are certainly worth a try, and will not harm the local ecosystem.'


Are you a fan of natural garden remedies, like Christie, or do you opt for chemical products? Let me know in the comments.

Hannah Ziegler
News Editor

Hannah is Homes & Gardens’ News Editor, with a focus on celebrity style and entertainment content. She got her start in media as a digital editorial assistant at ELLE Canada, and has since written about lifestyle and culture for publications such as Nylon and i-D.

Her love of film is rivaled only by one with a great soundtrack, and she hopes to someday decorate a Nancy Meyers-worthy kitchen.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.