Yes, baking soda can help your garden—but not quite in the way of directly making flowers “bloom and fuller” like fertilizer. It’s more about adjusting soil pH or controlling fungus and pests, which can indirectly help blooms. Below is the truth about that, plus 10 clever garden hacks most people don’t know:
🌸 Baking Soda in the Garden – What It Actually Does:
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is mildly alkaline. It doesn’t act as a fertilizer but can:
- Prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew and black spot.
- Reduce soil acidity, which may help some flowers (like hydrangeas) bloom better in alkaline soil.
- Discourage pests like ants or cabbage worms when sprinkled lightly around plants.
🛑 Caution: Too much baking soda can alter soil chemistry negatively. Use it sparingly and test soil pH if using frequently.
🌿 10 Garden Hacks Most Don’t Know (But Should)
1. Banana Peel Fertilizer
Bury banana peels under rose bushes or tomato plants. Rich in potassium, they help boost flowering and fruiting naturally.
2. Cinnamon as a Rooting Agent
Sprinkle cinnamon on cuttings to prevent fungus and encourage strong root growth.
3. Coffee Grounds for Acid-Loving Plants
Used coffee grounds slightly acidify soil and add nitrogen—great for azaleas, blueberries, and hydrangeas.
4. Plastic Forks to Deter Critters
Stick forks (tines up) around seedlings to keep squirrels and cats from digging.
5. DIY Baking Soda Fungicide Spray
Mix 1 tbsp baking soda + 1 tsp liquid soap in 1 quart water. Spray on leaves to prevent mildew and fungal issues.
6. Hydrogen Peroxide Boost
Dilute 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide in 1 quart of water to oxygenate roots and prevent rot or mold.
7. Epsom Salt for Flowering
Rich in magnesium, Epsom salt helps boost blooms in roses, peppers, and tomatoes. Use 1 tbsp per gallon of water monthly.
8. Eggshells for Calcium
Crush and sprinkle eggshells in the garden to deter slugs and add calcium—especially good for tomatoes and peppers.
9. Paper Towel Seed Starter
Plant seeds between damp paper towels in a plastic bag for faster germination before moving them to soil.
10. Aluminum Foil Mulch
Place foil around plants to reflect light and deter aphids and other pests while warming soil.