Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a versatile household item that can be especially handy in the garden. Its mild alkaline properties and gentle abrasive quality make it an excellent tool for a variety of gardening tasks. Here are 30 creative ways to use baking soda in your garden:

1. Pest Control: Sprinkle baking soda on garden soil to deter ants, roaches, and slugs.
2. Fungal Growth: Mix baking soda with water and soap to create a fungicide for black spot fungus on roses and other plants.
3. Mildew Prevention: Dust baking soda on plants with a propensity for mildew issues.
4. Weed Killer: Apply baking soda directly into the cracks of your walkway or patio to kill unwanted weeds.
5. pH Modifier: Use baking soda to sweeten tomatoes by sprinkling a small amount around the base of each plant.
6. Plant Booster: Mix baking soda with water to make a foliar spray that helps plants resist disease.
7. Leaf Burn Remedy: Lightly dusting plants with baking soda can protect them from the scorching sun.
8. Flower Enhancer: Add baking soda to the soil to enhance the color of hydrangeas or other pH-sensitive flowers.
9. Soil Testing: Use baking soda to test the acidity of your soil.
10. Cleaning Garden Furniture: Clean garden furniture safely and effectively with a baking soda paste.
11. Deodorize Compost: Sprinkle baking soda on your compost pile to neutralize odors.
12. Freshen Up Paths: Dust baking soda on garden paths to keep them fresh and free of slimy buildup.
13. Rooting Hormone: Use baking soda to help roots form when propagating plants.
14. Clean Plant Leaves: Wipe down dusty or grimy plant leaves with a damp cloth dipped in baking soda.
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15. Increase Blooming: Mix baking soda with ammonium (or regular salt) and water to encourage blooming in flowering plants.
16. Tomato Sweetener: Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda around your tomato plants to sweeten the fruit.
17. Remove Rust from Tools: Clean rust from garden tools with a baking soda paste.
18. Fire Ant Hill Treatment: Pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar on fire ant hills to disrupt their nests.
19. Animal Deterrent: Spread baking soda around the edges of the garden to deter rabbits and other critters.
20. Pot Cleaner: Clean clay pots with baking soda to remove mineral deposits and old soil without harsh chemicals.
21. Drain Cleaner for Rain Barrels: Use baking soda and vinegar to clean and deodorize the drains of rain barrels.
22. Garlic Spray Enhancer: Add baking soda to a garlic spray mixture to enhance its effectiveness against pests.
23. Seed Sweetener: Coat seeds in baking soda before planting to prevent fungal diseases.
24. Enhance Green Growth: Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on vegetable gardens to boost green growth.
25. Plant Marker Cleaner: Clean plant markers with baking soda for a fresh, new look.
26. Grease Cleaner on BBQ Grills: Use baking soda to clean greasy spots on outdoor grills.
27. Moss Killer: Apply baking soda to mossy areas in your garden to kill unwanted moss.
28. Snail Barrier: Create a barrier of baking soda around garden beds to keep snails and slugs at bay.
29. Unclog Nozzles: Unclog spray bottle and hose nozzles with a solution of baking soda and water.
30. Refresh Bird Baths: Clean and deodorize bird baths with baking soda to keep them fresh and inviting.

Using baking soda in these various ways can help you maintain a healthy, vibrant, and environmentally friendly garden. It’s a simple, cost-effective solution for many common gardening challenges.