Common Pantry Ingredient in Every Household Promises to Make Gardens Flourish

Are your plants not rooting or growing the way you would want them to? Are pests turning your beloved garden into their all-you-can-eat buffet? Before you run to the store for pricey supplements and repellents, consider the power of a common household staple—baking soda. TikTok creator SeedToHarvest has shown how this unassuming item can be a game-changer for your garden. Here's the scoop.

You might think that keeping pests at bay or fostering strong plant roots requires specialized products. But for green beans, cucumbers , chives, peppers, tomatoes, and more, baking soda is worth its weight in gold. This cheap and accessible ingredient can perform wonders in your garden, making it easier to maintain lush, healthy plants without breaking the bank.

Related: 3 Ways Baking Soda Totally Transforms Any Garden

How Can You Use Baking Soda as a Rooting Hormone?

First up, let's talk about rooting hormone. Typically, you'd have to buy a special product to encourage your plant cuttings to develop roots. But with baking soda, you can DIY your own rooting solution. Mix one cup of warm water with a spoonful of baking soda and sugar, then add a few drops of white vinegar. Seal the mixture and allow it to ferment for 48 hours. Once ready, transfer it to a spray bottle and spritz it on the roots of your cuttings. Voila! You now have a homemade rooting hormone that will help your plants establish strong, healthy roots.

Baking soda also comes to the rescue when it comes to deterring pests like cabbage worms and spider mites , as well as combating powdery mildew —a common fungal disease that affects many plants. To make a powerful pest and mildew spray, mix 2 ounces of baking soda, 2 ounces of white vinegar, and 1 ounce of table salt in 30 gallons of water. Spray this mixture over your plants to keep pests at bay and prevent mildew from taking hold. The baking soda alters the pH balance on the surface of the plants, creating an environment that's inhospitable to pests and fungi alike.

What all this boils down to is to let you know not to overlook the power of baking soda in your gardening arsenal. With its versatile applications, it's a must-have for any gardener looking to maintain a healthy, flourishing garden without spending a fortune. Why not give it a try and see the results for yourself? And be sure to let us know if this worked for you (or not) in the comments below!

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