Did you know that baking soda can be used for plants? Here are 17 practical tips for using baking soda effectively in your garden.

Baking soda is commonly used in cooking, cosmetics, and home maintenance. However, its utility extends further; using baking soda for plants could be a highly effective solution for numerous garden issues.

Baking soda is 100% ecological and can be applied anytime throughout the year in all parts of the garden. It’s biodegradable and non-toxic, offering a safer alternative to the pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals typically used in gardening.

Uses of Baking Soda in the Garden:

• Houseplant Cleaner: Regularly cleaning your houseplant’s foliage helps remove dust and grease to enhance photosynthesis. Use a soft, lint-free cloth soaked in a solution of water and a pinch of baking soda for this purpose.
• Garden Furniture Cleaner: Mix half a cup of baking soda with a tablespoon of dish soap in a gallon of warm water. Clean your garden furniture with a sponge and rinse off with water.
• Plant Growth Booster: Combine one teaspoon of baking soda with half a teaspoon of clear ammonia and one teaspoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water. Use this mixture to rejuvenate slow-growing, dull-looking plants.
• Compost Deodorizer: A little baking soda can help control odors in your compost, preventing excess acidity.
• Bird Bath and Pot Cleaner: Clean birdbaths and pots by sprinkling baking soda and wiping them down with a damp cloth or sponge.
• Slug Repellant: To deter slugs, simply sprinkle baking soda directly on them.
• Flowering Aid: Dissolve a tablespoon of baking soda in two quarts of water and water your flowering plants to promote blooming.
• Sweeter Tomatoes: Sprinkle baking soda around the base of your tomato plants to reduce soil acidity and sweeten the tomatoes.
• Soil pH Adjuster: If your soil is too acidic, sprinkle baking soda on it, mix, water, and test the pH after a few days.
• Cabbage Worm Killer: Mix equal parts flour and baking soda and dust it on plants to kill cabbage worms.
• Soil pH Test: To test if the soil is acidic, sprinkle baking soda on wet soil. If it bubbles, the soil is acidic.
• Pesticide: Mix baking soda with olive oil or mustard oil and water, then spray on plants to deter pests like aphids and mites.
• Fungal Disease Prevention: Spray a mixture of baking soda, liquid soap, and water on plants to prevent mold and other fungal diseases.
• Weed Killer: Use baking soda to kill weeds on paths and in flower beds; it’s effective, biodegradable, and non-toxic.
• Walkway Cleaner: Clean walkways with a solution of baking soda and hot water.
• For Cut Flowers: Keep cut flowers fresh longer by adding a teaspoon of baking soda to the water.
• Hand Cleaner: Clean dirty hands after gardening by rubbing them with baking soda and rinsing with water.

Precautions When Using Baking Soda in the Garden:

• Avoid direct application on flower stems and buds.
• Always test homemade mixtures on a small area first.
• Follow proper dosages to prevent potential damage to plants.