More Savvy Secrets For Baking Soda

We have, over the years, given you many uses for baking soda.  Everything from cleaning to cooking, there are endless uses for baking soda.  Those uses include it being the main ingredient in the recipes for our homemade deodorant and toothpaste.  But today we have another place to use this common household item…the garden!  That’s right.  It isn’t just cakes and cookies and your refrigerator and countertops that will benefit from baking soda.  It turns out your flowers, veggies and plants will love it too.

1.  A Plant Boost
Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 1 teaspoon of Epsom salts and 1/2 teaspoon ammonia in 1 gallon of water. Stir together well.  This solution is a natural fertilizer.  Dull, lifeless plants that are slow growing will get a real boost.  They perk up and look vibrant and have bright green foliage in no time.  Use about one quart per plant.  This is enough for about 4 plants.

2. Deodorize Your Compost
If you are lucky enough to have started a compost pile for your garden you may not feel too lucky if it starts to smell.  Just sprinkle it with some baking soda and you will eliminate the undesirable odor.

3. Bigger Blooms
Use 1 tablespoon baking soda and stir it into 2 quarts of water.  Watering your flowering plants with this mixture will encourage blooming.

4. Homemade Natural Pesticide
Mix together 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1/3 cup olive oil.  Add 2 teaspoons of this mixture to 1 cup of water.  Spray it on any insect infested plant to reduce the presence of aphids, scales, and sider mites.

5. Weed Killer On Pathways 
Sprinkle baking soda on the cracks and crevices between pavers on garden pathways to kill existing weeds and discourage new growth.  It is nontoxic and biodegradable.

6. Prevent Mildew
Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda and a few drops of dishwashing soap to a liter of water and spray on effected leaves.  This works in your vegetable garden, on roses, and on fruit trees.

7. Correcting Acidic Soil
Take a sample of soil and add enough water to make it “muddy”.  Add a bit of baking soda, if the mixture bubbles your soil is acidic.  There is an easy fix for this situation.  Dig and loosen soil and mix a small amount of baking soda into your garden soil and then water well.  You’ll be amazed at the results.  Fewer weeds and bigger, more beautiful blooms.

8. Cleaning Garden Furniture
In a gallon of water, add 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid and 1/2 cup baking soda and stir to dissolve.  Use a sponge with this mixture to clean and brighten garden furniture.  Rinse with clear water.

9. Clean The Leaves Of Houseplants 
Place a pinch of baking soda in a liter of water and using a clean soft cloth, wipe the leaves of houseplants to remove grease or dust that has gathered there.  This helps aid in the growth and health of your plants.

10. Better Tomatoes
To increase the sweetness of your tomatoes, sprinkle some baking soda around the base of each plant.  The baking soda will be absorbed into the plant through the soil and lower the acidity level of your tomatoes which will cause them to have a sweeter flavor.

For just pennies your garden can be prettier, healthier and tastier too.  Do yourself a favor and get yourself an extra box of baking soda today:-)