Homemade Baking Powder Spray for Plants

Baking soda serves various purposes in the garden. It helps keep many pests at bay and helps manage some fungal diseases.

Let’s explore some benefits of using homemade baking soda spray in the vegetable garden. There are also a few basic recipes that you can try.

Garden Benefits

Baking soda offers a range of benefits for gardeners looking to maintain healthy plants naturally.

One of the main ones is its ability to deter pests. Many insects and critters dislike baking soda’s alkaline properties.

Moreover, if crabgrass is taking over your yard, baking soda can help. Dusting it directly on crabgrass dries it up after several hours or a few days.

You can also use it to kill some weeds on sidewalks and driveways.

For tomato growers, baking soda can even improve the flavor of your harvest [1]. Just add it to the soil in small amounts. It reduces acidity, resulting in sweeter tomatoes.

Additionally, baking soda can combat some fungal issues that commonly affect gardens. It can treat black spots on plants, powdery mildew, and other fungal plant diseases.

Beyond plant health, baking soda can also be used to clean plant leaves. It removes dirt and grime from foliage.

In moderation, baking soda can also help neutralize odors if you have a compost pile.

Lastly, some gardeners use baking soda to promote more plant blooms in plants that prefer alkaline soil. It works great on plants like hydrangeas and geraniums.

Pests That Baking Soda Repels

Baking soda can be used to deter several common garden pests. Some of the critters that it will help keep away include:

• Aphids
• Ants
• Slugs
• Snails
• Cockroaches
• Spider mites
• Whiteflies
• Caterpillars
• Beetles
• Silverfish

These pests tend to avoid areas where baking soda is present. Therefore, you can use it as a natural pest repellent for your garden. However, it is ineffective as a bug spray.

Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda around your plants. You can also make it into a spray solution for plants where you see fit.

Baking Soda as a Fungicide

One of the best uses for baking soda in the garden is as a natural fungicide.

Many plants suffer from fungal diseases. These diseases can spread quickly and ruin crops if not addressed.

Baking soda can help control powdery mildew, black spots, leaf blight, and other plant fungal issues.

Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with a gallon of water to make a fungicidal spray. Add a few drops of liquid soap to the baking soda water.

Finally, shake well and spray the mixture onto the affected plants. For the best results, apply once a week or after rainfall.

Some gardeners add neem oil to the mixture for a more potent fungicide. Neem oil enhances this remedy’s effectiveness against plant diseases like anthracnose, mold, and mildew.

How to Make Baking Soda Spray for the Garden

You can make several variations of baking soda sprays at home. The recipe depends on your gardening needs.

Below are four easy recipes:

Recipe 1

Dissolve one tablespoon of baking soda in a gallon of water for a basic DIY spray.

Next, add a teaspoon of dish soap. The soap acts as a surfactant and helps the baking soda water stick to the plant leaves.

This general-purpose spray works well against many insects and fungal diseases. When used sparingly, it is also safe for most garden plants.

In essence, this spray works as a fungicide and an insecticide.

Recipe 2

Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with a gallon of water to create a formula that kills a broader range of pests.

However, add two tablespoons of vegetable oil, such as cottonseed or soybean. These oils have excellent insecticidal properties [2].

This vegetable oil/baking soda pesticide spray kills many pests when they come into contact with it. It works as a general-purpose homemade pesticide and fungicide.

Recipe 3

This garden spray recipe uses baking soda and neem oil. It’s perfect for all-purpose gardening.

Combine one tablespoon of baking soda with a gallon of water, two tablespoons of neem oil, and two tablespoons of liquid dish soap.

This blend helps combat fungal infections and deters pests like aphids and spider mites. Shake well before each use.

Recipe 4

For an aromatic and pest-repelling option, this recipe calls for essential oils.

Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with a gallon of water. You will also need a teaspoon of dish soap and 10 to 15 drops of essential oil.

Pest-repelling essential oils include peppermint, lemongrass, thyme, lavender, oregano, and tea tree oil. Thyme, oregano, and lemongrass oils also have antifungal properties [3].

Shake this baking soda essential oil solution well before use. Spray directly onto affected plants.

How to Use

Proper application is key to the baking soda spray’s effectiveness.

Always spray early in the morning or late in the afternoon so it dries before the day’s heat. Also, coat the affected plants thoroughly.

Apply the spray once a week for fungal issues and reapply after rain. However, if using it as a preventative measure, you can spray every two weeks.

When targeting pests, apply the mixture directly to affected areas. Repeat every 7 to 10 days until the problem subsides.

To clean plant leaves, lightly mist them and gently wipe them with a soft cloth to remove dirt, etc.

To control compost odors, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda over the pile as needed. However, please do not overdo it. Excessive baking soda can slow down compost decomposition.

Precautions

While baking soda is a valuable gardening tool, use it carefully to avoid adverse effects.

Excessive use can alter soil pH, making it difficult for certain plants to absorb nutrients. Always test your soil before applying it widely.

Additionally, baking soda water can damage plant leaves when the spray is applied in direct sunlight.

Takeaway

Using baking soda and water on your plants can help you enjoy a healthier, more productive garden. This natural solution is a valuable addition to any gardener’s toolkit.