Baking soda in horticulture and agriculture
Bicarbonate of soda can be used in many ways in the garden and in agriculture. The alkaline properties of bicarbonate make life difficult for many pests, meaning that baking soda is ideal for protecting plants.
To combat powdery or downy mildew on roses, vegetables and fruit trees
Sodium hydrogen carbonate is authorised as a basic substance under the EU Plant Protection Products Regulation (1107/2009). It can be used as a fungicide to combat mildew and apple scab as well as for post-harvest treatment of storage diseases. Its benefits and effects have been known for many decades by the working group led by Dr Bernd Steinhauer (Steinhauer's Mehltauschreck). Many other fungal diseases on plants can also be successfully combated or even prevented with baking soda.
Application:
Use for one litre of water:
- Dissolve ¼ - 1 teaspoon of baking soda (2.5-10 g) in 1 litre of water
- Add 1 - 2 teaspoons of Niemöl&Rimulgan (5-10 ml) and 1 teaspoon of Lebermooser (5 ml) to increase effectiveness
- Then spray the plants from all sides. Repeat the treatment after heavy rain.
Cleaning rusty garden tools and grill grates
Mix baking soda with a few drops of water. Apply the baking soda paste to the rusty areas of the garden tools with a sponge or brush, leave to work and rub off if necessary. Place very rusty garden tools in vinegar for a few days beforehand and then treat with bicarbonate of soda.
Place the grill grate on a few layers of newspaper and then spray it well with a solution containing two tablespoons of baking soda per litre of water. Leave to work for at least an hour and then wipe off the encrustations. If the encrustation is stubborn, moisten it well, sprinkle with bicarbonate of soda and leave to work well.
Remove limescale from garden tools and flower pots
Water containing limescale leaves ugly limescale marks on clay, terracotta and plastic pots over time.
First bathe in vinegar to dissolve the limescale. Then use bicarbonate of soda as a scouring powder to remove the remaining crusts.