How to use:
Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 liter of water.
Add a few drops of mild liquid soap (like castile or dish soap) to help the solution stick to leaves.
Spray affected plants thoroughly, including the undersides of leaves.
This solution works by increasing the pH on the leaf surface, making it harder for fungi to survive. For best results, spray weekly during high humidity or after rain.
2. Natural Pest Deterrent
While baking soda is not a broad-spectrum insecticide, it can help repel some soft-bodied pests like aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies when used in combination with other natural ingredients.
Pest spray recipe:
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 liter water
1 tablespoon olive oil or neem oil
A few drops of dish soap
Spray on the leaves where pests tend to gather. The combination of baking soda and oil suffocates pests and discourages new infestations.
3. Sweetening Tomatoes (Soil pH Adjustment)
Some gardeners use baking soda to slightly reduce soil acidity around tomato plants, with the aim of improving the flavor of the fruit.
How to apply:
Sprinkle a small amount (no more than 1 teaspoon) of baking soda around the base of the tomato plant.
Water the soil lightly to allow the baking soda to penetrate.
This technique may result in sweeter tomatoes, especially in soils that are overly acidic. Use caution—too much baking soda can overly raise soil pH and affect nutrient absorption.
4. Weed Prevention in Cracks
Baking soda can be used to discourage weeds in areas like cracks between patio stones or sidewalks, where you don’t want anything growing.
How to use:
Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 liter of water.
Add a few drops of mild liquid soap (like castile or dish soap) to help the solution stick to leaves.
Spray affected plants thoroughly, including the undersides of leaves.
This solution works by increasing the pH on the leaf surface, making it harder for fungi to survive. For best results, spray weekly during high humidity or after rain.
2. Natural Pest Deterrent
While baking soda is not a broad-spectrum insecticide, it can help repel some soft-bodied pests like aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies when used in combination with other natural ingredients.
Pest spray recipe:
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 liter water
1 tablespoon olive oil or neem oil
A few drops of dish soap
Spray on the leaves where pests tend to gather. The combination of baking soda and oil suffocates pests and discourages new infestations.
3. Sweetening Tomatoes (Soil pH Adjustment)
Some gardeners use baking soda to slightly reduce soil acidity around tomato plants, with the aim of improving the flavor of the fruit.
How to apply:
Sprinkle a small amount (no more than 1 teaspoon) of baking soda around the base of the tomato plant.
Water the soil lightly to allow the baking soda to penetrate.
This technique may result in sweeter tomatoes, especially in soils that are overly acidic. Use caution—too much baking soda can overly raise soil pH and affect nutrient absorption.
4. Weed Prevention in Cracks
Baking soda can be used to discourage weeds in areas like cracks between patio stones or sidewalks, where you don’t want anything growing.
