9 Ways To Use Baking Soda In The Garden
9 Ways to Use Baking Soda in the Garden: A Green Thumb's Secret Weapon
Ah, baking soda! That humble pantry staple hiding in the back of your kitchen cupboard has some surprising superpowers when it comes to gardening. From warding off pests to boosting plant health, baking soda is a versatile and eco-friendly ally for any green thumb. Let's dive into nine ingenious ways to harness the power of baking soda in your garden.
1. Say Goodbye to Cabbage Worms on Brassicas
Cabbage worms wreaking havoc on your broccoli and kale? Fear not! Whip up a simple mixture of 50% white flour and 50% baking soda, give it a good mix, and dust those affected plants. This natural concoction acts as a deterrent, making your brassicas less appetising to these pesky pests.
2. Combat Fungal Foes with a Baking Soda Fungicide
Black spot fungus and powdery mildew can put a damper on your gardening efforts. Create a potent fungicide by mixing 4 tablespoons of baking soda with around 4 litres or one gallon of warm water. Give it a good shake, and spray generously on affected plants to tackle these fungal foes head-on.
3. Bid Farewell to Sap-Sucking Pests
Aphids and other sap-sucking pests can quickly turn your garden into a buffet. Mix 2 cups of water with 2/3 cup of olive oil and a teaspoon of baking soda, combine these ingredients in a spray bottle, and apply directly to your plants. This natural solution will help deter these unwanted visitors without harming your greenery.
4. Keep Compost Odours at Bay
Love composting but not a fan of the funky odours? Sprinkle a bit of baking soda into your compost pile to help neutralise odours without harming the beneficial microorganisms responsible for breaking down organic matter. Your nose—and your neighbours—will thank you!
5. pH Testing Made Simple
Maintaining the right soil pH is crucial for plant health. To test your soil's acidity or alkalinity, take two soil samples. Pour half a cup of vinegar on one sample; if it bubbles, your soil has a pH of 7 or higher, indicating alkaline soil. For the second sample, mix baking soda with water and pour it on the soil; if it bubbles, your soil is acidic. To correct acidic soil, sprinkle baking soda directly onto the soil and water it in.
6. Sweeten Those Tomatoes
Dreaming of sweeter tomatoes? Sprinkle a bit of baking soda around the base of your tomato plants (being careful to avoid direct contact with the plant itself). Baking soda can help lower acidity levels in the soil, resulting in irresistibly sweet tomatoes that'll have you reaching for seconds.
7. Natural Ant-Killing Magic
Ants making themselves at home in your garden? Create a natural ant killer by mixing equal parts white powdered sugar or icing sugar with baking soda. Sprinkle this mixture over ant hills to effectively deter these pesky invaders without resorting to harsh chemicals.
8. DIY Organic Pesticide
Pests getting the upper hand? Take control with a homemade organic pesticide. Mix a tablespoon of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of baking soda, a few drops of liquid soap, and around a gallon or close to 4 litres of water in a spray bottle. Apply this natural concoction to your plants every three days to keep pests at bay.
9. Slug-Proof Your Plants
Slugs can be a gardener's worst nightmare, munching their way through your prized plants overnight. Deter these slimy invaders by sprinkling baking soda around your plants. The abrasive texture of baking soda is a natural deterrent, helping to keep slugs at a safe distance.
So, there you have it! Nine ingenious ways to harness the power of baking soda in your garden. From warding off pests and fungi to sweetening tomatoes and balancing soil pH, baking soda is a versatile and eco-friendly tool every gardener should have in their arsenal. Happy gardening!