Spring has officially arrived! Survivalists across the nation are already in full gear and tending to their survival gardens! In my previous article, Survival Gardening Hacks | Bringing It Back To The Basics, I covered a few great hacks to get you started this gardening season.
Since its publication, I have noticed that there is one hack in particular that has drawn quite a bit of attention regarding the many uses of baking soda in the garden! In particular, the baking soda tomato plant hack! “If you love a sweeter-tasting tomato, simply sprinkle baking soda on the soil surrounding the tomato plant. How’s that for gardening magic?”
Gardeners are asking if there are more uses for baking soda in their survival gardens. The answer is yes! There are quite a few. In this article, I’ll share with you the many benefits that this extremely versatile product brings to your survival garden…some of which may surprise you! Let’s get started!
8 Baking Soda Uses
1. Encourage Blooming
If you’re anything like me, then waiting for that first bloom can seem like an eternity. Want the process to go a little quicker? Try this!
Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 quarts of water. Dissolve completely. Water your flowering plants (such as tomatoes) with this mixture. They’ll be blooming in no time!
2. Boost Your Plants
Recommended on full grown plants ONLY (in my opinion).
If your plants are looking a little dull or maybe they seem they need a little “pick me up”, then try this to perk them up!
Combine 1 tsp of baking soda, ½ tsp of clear ammonia, 1 tsp of Epsom salt, and 1 gallon of water. Mix well. Each plant will need approximately 1 quart of this solution.
Your plants will be perky, lush, and green in no time!
Want to learn more about epsom salt uses for your plants? Check out my previous article, 5 Uses for Epsom Salt in Your Garden.
3. Natural Fungicide For Grapes
Help control fungal disease on your grapevines with this great DIY fungicide using baking soda!
Combine 4 tsp of baking soda and 1 gallon of water and mix well. When grapes start to appear, spray lightly on the vine to help prevent fungus such as black spot fungus. This mixture works great on roses as well.
4. Eliminate Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is pretty common in climates that produce high humidity and can be quite damaging to plants such as cucumbers, squash, and more!
To help prevent powdery mildew combine 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 gallon of water, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid and mix well. Put this mixture into a spray bottle and once again shake well. Spray lightly on plants during the shady part of the day. Repeat up to 2-3 times a week.
5. Kill Cabbage Worms
Cabbage worms affect plants such as cabbage, broccoli, and kale. To kill cabbage worms, combine equal parts baking soda and flour and dust your plants. The cabbage worms will consume this mixture which will swell inside their digestive system. The worms will die within 24-48 hours.
Repeat this process as often as necessary.
6. Deterring Other Pests
Although the exact reason is unknown, pests such as roaches, ants, silverfish, and rabbits can’t stand baking soda! Just sprinkle baking soda on the soil (not the plants) and these pests will steer clear of your garden.
7. Weed Killer
One of the biggest “No no’s” for a garden is WEEDS! Using baking soda to kill weeds is simple. Sprinkle baking soda directly on the weed. This process will burn the weed’s foliage and the weed will die within a few days.
8. Get Rid Of Garden Grime
This one if for you, the gardener. After a day spent in the garden, your hands can become caked with garden grime. To help dissolve it much quicker, just simply rub baking soda on wet hands and rinse.
If you're looking for useful survival gear that you can't make at home, check out the Survival Life Store!
Do you have a baking soda used for gardening that you would like to share? Share with us in the comment section below!
Check out my previous gardening articles for great gardening tips for beginners!
- Composting For Beginners | The Building Blocks To A Better Harvest
- Beginner’s Guide To Having an Outdoor Herb Garden | Survival Gardening
- Easy To Grow Vegetables For Beginner Gardeners | Useful Survival Skills
- 12 Budget Friendly Must-Haves For Every Beginner Gardener
Editor's Note: This was first published on March 30, 2017, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
All this info about using baking soda sounds good but one thing I have to question; It talks about the use of baking soda on your plants to deter bugs etc., but below says to dust it on weeds and the weeds foliage will burn and the weed dies in a few days! Won’t this same thing happen to your plant???