ADVERTISEMENT
Absolutely! Here’s a compelling and informative article titled “Baking Soda Is a Gardener’s Best Friend: Here Are 10 Clever Ways to Use It in Your Garden”:
Baking Soda Is a Gardener’s Best Friend: Here Are 10 Clever Ways to Use It in Your Garden
Baking soda: it’s not just for baking cookies or freshening up your fridge. This humble pantry staple is also a powerhouse in the garden, offering a range of natural, non-toxic solutions for common gardening problems. Whether you’re battling pests, mildew, or unwanted odors, baking soda might be the secret weapon your green space needs.
Here are 10 clever, practical ways to put baking soda to work in your garden:
1. Combat Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a common plant disease that affects cucumbers, squash, roses, and more.
Solution: Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 gallon of water, and add a few drops of liquid soap. Spray it on affected leaves weekly to slow the spread and prevent new outbreaks.
2. Natural Fungicide
Fungal issues like black spot and rust can wreak havoc on your plants.
Try this: Combine 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil, and a few drops of dish soap in 1 liter of water. Spray this fungicide on susceptible plants every 7–10 days.
3. Sweeten Tomatoes
Gardeners claim that sprinkling baking soda around the base of tomato plants reduces soil acidity, resulting in sweeter fruit.
How to use: Lightly dust the soil—not the plant itself—with a bit of baking soda once or twice during the growing season.
4. Repel Pests
Baking soda can help deter ants, roaches, and even cabbage worms.
Tip: Mix equal parts baking soda and flour, then sprinkle around garden beds or on leaves to discourage bugs from snacking.
5. Weed Control Between Pavers
Weeds love to sprout in the cracks between patio stones or sidewalks.
Quick fix: Pour baking soda directly into the cracks. It raises the salt content in the soil, discouraging weeds from growing.
6. Clean Garden Tools Naturally
Over time, tools collect sap, rust, and grime.
DIY scrub: Make a paste of baking soda and water, apply to tools, a