As the name implies, baking soda is primarily used for making cakes, pancakes, and other baked goodies. This is because sodium bicarbonate expands the batter and gives these baked foods their distinct texture. However, baking soda actually has more uses that go beyond the kitchen.
Did you know that there are natural uses for baking soda in the garden? Luckily for you, we’ve gathered several of these surprising functions. From pest management to soil assessment, let’s take a look at the many gardening benefits of baking soda.
1. Weed Killer
Before you dump baking soda into those pesky weeds in your garden, you should first test the product with a couple of weeds. First, provide enough moisture to the weeds by misting them with a hose or gardening spray. Secondly, grab a teaspoon of baking soda and pour it over the chosen weed. This should be applied all over the weed and not simply in the central area. After this, do the same to other weeds growing near your plants.
As for weeds located in the cracks of your pavement, drop a significant amount of baking soda over them. Carefully look into the spaces where weeds can pop in your driveway and walkway. After this, wait for a month before pouring baking soda again over the weeds in the cracks.
2. Testing the pH level of the Soil
Determining your soil’s pH level is quite easy if you have baking soda and vinegar. First, gather some soil in your garden and divide them into two samples. Put the samples in their respective cups. Then, add distilled water into the cups and stir them with the soil samples.
Next, get a tablespoon each of vinegar and of baking soda. We are using these two substances because vinegar is acidic with of pH of 3.3 while baking soda is alkaline with a pH of 8.2. Put the vinegar in the first cup while the baking soda goes to the second cup. If the sample containing vinegar begins to bubble, this is an indicator that the pH level alkaline. On the other hand, your soil is acidic if the cup with baking soda starts to bubble.
3. Raising Soil pH
Since baking soda and vinegar can be used to identify the pH level of the soil in your garden, they can also be used to alter them. If you want to into increase the soil’s pH level, you first have to get a tablespoon of baking soda and mix it with a gallon of water. After that, you just have to pour it over the soil.
In contrast, decreasing the pH level can be done by applying a solution of one cup of vinegar with a gallon of water. Whether you want to increase or decrease the pH level, always remember to regularly check the levels to see if further adjustments are required.
4. Controlling Mildew on Plants
Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease that covers the leaves and stems of a plant with a white substance. If it’s not removed, the plant is weakened and its capability to photosynthesize is reduced. All plants can have this disease, but certain plants such as cucumbers, squash, and roses are more likely to develop powdery mildew.
Luckily, baking soda is a popular and affordable solution to this plant disease. To significantly reduce the chances of plants having powdery mildew, you have to spray them weekly with a mixture containing a gallon of water, half a teaspoon of liquid soap, and a table spoon of baking soda. Remember to water the plants first because this mixture could burn plant leaves.
5. Homemade Pesticide
If you want to safely manage pests lingering in your garden, you can create a pesticide by mixing a teaspoon of baking soda, a cup of water, and about 80 milliliters of olive oil. After properly combining these substances, put the mixture into a garden sprayer. This pesticide should get rid of pests such as spider mites and aphids.
6. Getting Rid of Slugs
For dealing with pesky slugs that constantly eat your plants and leave nasty holes in them, you can directly pour baking soda over them. The substance will quickly make them perish through abrupt drying.
7. Smelly Compost
While composting works great as a natural fertilizer, it cannot be denied that compost piles can have a foul odor. To significantly reduce both the bad smell and acid levels of your compost pit, you should pour a small amount of baking soda over it. Be wary of the amount you apply as too much baking soda can hamper with the decaying process.
8. Sweeten Tomatoes
Finally, your tomatoes will benefit from baking soda. Since the substance reduces the acidity of the soil, the surrounding tomatoes can develop a sweeter taste. Just pour a bit of baking soda on the soil where your tomato plants are located.
As you can see, baking soda has many gardening applications. Whether you are going to use it to modify soil pH levels or to get rid of fungal diseases and pests, you should always take note of the right amount to be used and of the ingredients for the mixtures.
Autho Bio: I am Ann Sanders, a founder of A Green Hand. At this site, I understand the effort you put into leading a healthy lifestyle and taking care of your body and mind, and my goal is to make everything easy for you by providing information that answers all those questions racing through your mind.