Most of us have baking soda sitting in our cupboards or refrigerator. It’s a common item to use a deodorizer and for baking – but it’s actually SO much more useful than that. You might have heard that baking soda does wonders when it comes to solving common household problems, but did you know it’s also incredibly beneficial for your garden too?
Here are 15 ways baking soda can help your garden thrive.
1. Use as a fungicide.
Humidity and dampness in the soil can create a breeding ground for fungus, which can very difficult to get rid of. Help your garden stay fungus-free with the help of some baking soda. Just mix four teaspoons of baking soda into one gallon of water. Spray or pour the mixture over your garden.
2. Stop ants in their tracks.
Baking soda is also amazing when it comes to getting rid of ants. Ants are great insects, but you don’t particularly want them hanging out in your garden and building an ant mound. Mix five teaspoons of baking soda, five teaspoons of powdered sugar, and a tablespoon of water. Spread the mixture around the anthill – they’ll be attracted to the sugar but the baking soda is toxic to them.
3. Measure the pH of your garden soil.
Baking soda can be a helpful tool when you need to measure the pH balance of your soil. To test your soil, you’ll need to grab two samples in separate containers. In one container, pour half a cup of vinegar into the soil, if it bubbles, it means your soil is alkaline (pH over 7). If it doesn’t, using the other sample, add half a cup of baking soda with half a cup of water. If this one bubbles, it means your soil is acidic (below pH7).
4. Make your garden decor sparkle
We mentioned that baking soda is known for being a great cleaning product – and that still applies outside! Clean and shine your garden decor using a paste made of baking soda and water. Wipe off with a damp cloth. The best part? It’s non-toxic to wildlife like deer and raccoons.
5. ‘De-stink’ your compost pile
Composting is wonderful for the environment, but if you compost at your house, you know it can be a bit smelly. Sprinkle baking soda on top of your compost pile every now and again to help keep the odor at bay. Just be careful not to use too much because it could slow down the decomposition process.
6. Rid plants of mildew
Much like using baking soda to remove fungus from your garden, the same tip works for getting rid of mildew. Just mix a tablespoon of baking soda with two and a half tablespoons of horticulture oil into a gallon of water. Using a spray bottle, coat the leaves with the mixture.
7. Sweeten your tomatoes
Sweet tomatoes grow when the soil is more alkaline than acidic. Help grow the sweetest tomatoes possible using baking soda. Just put a light sprinkle of baking soda on the soil around your plants, it will absorb naturally.
8. Keep that bouquet looking fresh
Everyone loves receiving a bouquet of flowers. The problem is, they never stay fresh for as long as you’d like them to. Extend the life of your bouquet with the help of baking soda. Toss a pinch of salt and a pinch of baking soda into the vase with water. This will help them stay beautiful for a few days longer.
9. Keep your pathway weed-free
If you happen to have a walkway or a pathway in your yard or garden, it can be a beautiful and practical accent. But once those rocks, stones, or bricks start to get grimey, it doesn’t quite look as good. Keep your walkway looking gorgeous by scrubbing the surface with a mixture of baking soda and warm water.
10. Help your flora thrive
As with tomatoes, flowers love having alkaline soil. When you water the flowers in your yard and garden, mix some baking soda with the water or sprinkle some on the soil beforehand. Your flowers will be healthy and vibrant.
11. Get rid of pests
Pests are a gardener’s nightmare. Make a safe and effective pesticide by mixing one tablespoon of olive oil, two tablespoons of baking soda, and a couple of drops of liquid soap into a gallon of water. Using a spray bottle, spray your plants every few days to keep pests at bay.
12. Kill off any annoying patches of crabgrass.
Crabgrass always seems to grow in places where you never want it to! Get rid of those pesky patches of crabgrass for good using baking soda. Apply a paste of baking soda and water into the cracks and crevices of your sidewalk or pathways to prevent crabgrass from growing.
13. Get rid of cabbage worms
Cabbage worms are a nuisance in the garden – and they show up even when you don’t have cabbage! Mix an equal amount of flour and baking soda and use the mixture to dust whatever produce you may be growing. The mixture is toxic to them.
14. Wipe down your houseplants
If you have an indoor garden or just love displaying houseplants, you can keep them pretty and dust-free by using baking soda. Shine them up without having to use any chemicals by using a damp cloth, warm water, and a little baking soda to wipe them down.
15. Wash your hands after gardening
Hands can get super dirty after a day in the garden. Remove all of the dirt, soil, and grime from your hands and nails by using baking soda and dish soap. Scrub your hands thoroughly using both ingredients under water. Your hands will feel clean and dirt-free!
Want more baking soda tips? Watch the video below.
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