Baking Soda in the Garden: 10 Smart Uses + DIY Fertilizer for Fruit Trees

Baking soda is more than just a kitchen staple — it’s a powerful, affordable, and eco-friendly solution for common gardening problems. From pest control to improving soil quality and boosting fruit sweetness, this simple compound can transform how you care for your garden.

Let’s explore 10 practical uses, how to use it on fruit trees like lemons and apples, and a bonus DIY liquid fertilizer recipe.

 

🌿 1. Natural Fungicide

Baking soda helps prevent fungal infections like powdery mildew:

🧪 Recipe: Mix

1 tablespoon baking soda
1 teaspoon dish soap
1 gallon water

Spray on leaves once a week to protect plants from fungal growth.

🌿 2. Weed Killer

Baking soda works great on unwanted weeds in cracks or garden paths:

🧂 Just sprinkle directly on visible weeds.
⚠️ Avoid applying near your vegetables or flowers — it may harm them too.

🌿 3. Pest Repellent

Keep cabbage worms and aphids away:

🥄 Mix equal parts baking soda and flour, and dust over the leaves.
Pests ingest it and are deterred from returning.

🌿 4. Soil Amendment (pH Correction)

If your soil is too acidic, plants struggle to absorb nutrients.

🌱 Solution:
Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda in 1 gallon of water.
Water around the plant base monthly.
🧪 Always test your soil pH first to avoid over-alkalizing!

🌿 5. Tomato Sweetener

Mild alkalinity helps tomatoes develop sweeter flavor:

🍅 Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of baking soda at the base of the tomato plant.
Water lightly — repeat every 3–4 weeks.

🌿 6. Compost Enhancer

Speed up composting by neutralizing odors:

Add a small handful of baking soda occasionally to your compost bin.

🌿 7. Odor Absorber

Sprinkle baking soda near manure piles or bins to absorb foul smells.
Reapply every few days as needed.

🌿 8. Gardening Tool Cleaner

Keep tools clean and rust-free:

🧼 Make a paste of baking soda and water, scrub tools, rinse, and dry.

🌿 9. Seed Germination Booster

Soaking seeds helps soften seed coats and boosts sprouting:

🧪 Mix 1 teaspoon baking soda in 2 cups of water.
Soak seeds for 6–12 hours, rinse, then plant.

🌿 10. Ant Repellent

Sprinkle baking soda around ant trails or near plants.
You can also mix it with sugar for added baiting effect.

🍋 Using Baking Soda on Fruit Trees (Lemon, Apple)

Baking soda supports healthy growth and fruit sweetness in lemon and apple trees:

1. Soil pH Balancer

Acidic soil can limit nutrient absorption.

🔸 Mix 1 tablespoon baking soda in 4 liters (1 gallon) of water
🔸 Water around the tree base once a month.
⚠️ Always test pH before applying.

2. Fungus Prevention

Prevent fungal spots and powdery mildew on leaves and fruit.

🔸 Mix:

1 teaspoon baking soda
A few drops of natural soap
1 liter water
Spray on leaves in the morning or evening, never in full sun.

3. Sweeten the Fruits

Especially for apples and tomatoes:

🔸 Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of baking soda around the root zone
🔸 Water gently
Repeat every 3–4 weeks for sweeter-tasting fruit.

🍅 Want Sweeter Fruit?
Especially for tomatoes and apples:
🔸 Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of baking soda around the base
🔸 Water lightly
💧 Repeat every 3–4 weeks for better flavor

🌿 DIY Baking Soda Liquid Fertilizer

🧪 Ingredients:
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon Epsom salt
• 1 gallon of water

👩‍🌾 How to use:
• Mix all ingredients until fully dissolved
• Pour at the base of plants every 2–3 weeks

✅ Benefits:
• Balances soil pH for better nutrient absorption
• Epsom salt adds magnesium → greener, stronger leaves
• Promotes healthy, vigorous growth

✔️ Use only 1–2 times/month
✔️ Test soil pH before using
✔️ Works great for tomatoes, peppers, fruit trees, and leafy greens 🌿

🌼 Give your plants a gentle, natural boost — and watch your garden thank you with sweeter fruits and lush green growth! 🍓🌿
Happy gardening! 🧤🌞