Baking soda has been used for decades as an all-purpose home remedy for ailments and headaches. But did you know it can also be used to help your tomatoes grow bigger and better? The answer is yes!
Baking soda has been found to be especially effective at boosting tomato plant blossom production. It can even help reduce the amount of salt that gets built up in the soil and keep away common garden pests!
Nevertheless, I know you are still asking yourself, is baking soda good for tomatoes? In this article, we will discuss what baking soda is and how it affects the tomato plant and yield. We will also explain the different ways that it can be used to benefit tomato plants. So grab a towel and let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What Is Baking Soda and How Can It Be Used to Benefit Tomatoes?
It is an inexpensive, naturally occurring substance that can be used to boost tomato plant health.
It’s a form of sodium bicarbonate—essentially, a naturally occurring salt. It contains some primary components, including sodium, carbon dioxide, and water. It’s a versatile ingredient you probably have in your kitchen right now.
As for what baking soda can do for your tomato plants? The humble baking staple can correct mild acidity levels in the soil, reducing infections from common fungi such as powdery mildew and leaf spot. It also serves as a source of nitrogen and potassium for the plant’s foliage, promoting healthier growth. With all these benefits in mind, it’s no wonder that many gardeners swear by using it for their tomatoes!
How to Test Your Soil pH With Baking Soda
If you want to make sure that your soil has the right pH level for tomatoes, it’s a good idea to test it with baking soda. Since it is an alkaline substance and will affect the pH of the soil while making it more alkaline. To test your soil’s pH level, simply mix two tablespoons of baking soda into two cups of water. Then, take a sample of your soil and mix this solution. If the soil turns foamy or bubbly after mixing, then your soil has a very high alkalinity – meaning you should reduce the amount of baking soda used for future tests!
Another way to measure your soil using baking soda is by using the “baking soda meter”. This device measures electrical resistance by immersing two electrodes in a solution containing baking soda. The reading will tell you how much baking soda is needed to raise the alkalinity of your soil. If this method gives you too high a result, simply add a few tablespoons of vinegar to lower the pH level again.
By testing regularly with baking soda and measuring it against other methods, you can make sure that your tomato plants are growing in an optimal environment – one that is not too acidic or too alkaline – ensuring they get all they need to thrive!
Benefits of Using Baking Soda on Tomatoes
Another thing you should know about baking soda is that it can provide a range of benefits to tomato plants. In fact, when used PROPERLY, it can help make your tomatoes more resilient and less prone to disease and pests. Here are some of the main benefits of using baking soda on tomatoes:
Increased Nutrient Uptake
When used on tomatoes it helps increase the uptake of essential nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus – all of which improve plant growth, resulting in bigger and tastier tomatoes. Plus, because the pH levels are higher in a baking soda-treated plant, the micronutrients become more available (in other words they’re easier for the plant to absorb).
Improved Disease Resistance
It also helps make your tomato plants more resistant to common diseases like blight, mildew, and blossom end rot. And as a bonus, when used regularly it can also help combat fungus gnats that can infect your plants over time.
Enhanced Flavor and Color
Tomatoes treated with baking soda will often have a richer flavor than those that don’t get this special treatment. This is because the increased pH levels can cause an accumulation of sugars in the fruit’s cells – resulting in sweeter-tasting tomatoes! Plus, it also helps keep your plants looking healthy by reducing yellowing leaves and boosting green coloration in both leaves and fruits.
Best Practices for Using Baking Soda on Tomatoes
Who knew baking soda could be so great for tomatoes? And it is, as long as you know how to use it correctly. Here are some best practices to help you get the most out of baking soda when it comes to your tomato plants:
Only use food-grade baking soda
Anytime you’re working with food, you should always make sure that you’re using ingredients that are meant for it. That goes for baking soda, too — make sure to pick up a food-grade variety so that your tomatoes don’t end up with anything weird in them.
Start slow
Don’t just pour on a bunch of it— because too much of a good thing can be bad! Instead, start slow and work your way up — mix about one teaspoon of baking soda per gallon of water and spray your tomato plants with the mixture. Then gradually increase the amount over time until your tomatoes are thriving.
Monitor often
Once you start using it on your tomatoes, keep an eye on them. Make sure they’re doing well and don’t show signs of distress. If they’re looking great and healthy, then keep going at the same rate — but if they show signs of distress or disease, dial back on the amount of baking soda that you’re giving them until they recover.
Tips for Making Baking Soda for Tomatoes More Effective
You can make your baking soda even more effective on tomatoes if you follow a few tips.
Use the Right Amount
Baking soda should be added to the soil in moderation. Using too much can raise the soil pH level too high and damage the plant. Start with only one tablespoon per plant, and take into account the size of your plants and containers. If needed, you can add more baking soda, but always do so incrementally so that you don’t end up using too much. It is also important to make sure that your soil is as balanced as possible by testing it before applying baking soda so that you know how much to add without overdoing it.
Consider Adding More Nutrients
Baking soda won’t give tomatoes all of their necessary nutrients on its own—you need to consider additional balances in the soil including nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, as well as micronutrients like iron, magnesium, and zinc. Adding compost or aged manure should help balance out these nutrients and make baking soda more effective for tomato plants, though you might need to supplement with fertilizer if necessary.
Apply Baking Soda at key moments
Timing is important for optimal results with tomato plants fertilized with baking soda—it’s best applied when tomatoes first start flowering, then again about two weeks later for a boost of bicarbonate to ward off late-season diseases like early blight. If needed, another application can be made at mid-season when many of the fruits are forming and maturing.
Alternatives to Baking Soda for Tomato Plants
If baking soda isn’t right for your tomato plants, there are a few alternatives you can use to reduce acidity in the soil and help your tomatoes grow.
Epsom Salts
Epsom salts are an economical and easy way to give plants a boost. It’s made from magnesium sulfate, which helps to promote strong growth and increase yields. Just mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt into 1 gallon of water and use it to regularly water your tomatoes.
Wood Ash & Lime
Adding wood ash or lime is another way to reduce soil acidity without using baking soda. Wood ash is the remains of burned wood that consists of calcium carbonate and minerals, while lime is a form of calcium carbonate that has been processed into a powdery substance. Both are great options to raise the pH levels in the soil while adding important nutrients.
Compost Tea
Compost tea is also a good choice if you don’t want to use baking soda on your tomatoes. Compost tea is made by steeping compost in warm water overnight, then straining it with a cheesecloth before applying it as fertilizer for tomato plants. This gives them an extra boost of nitrogen that helps promote growth and development.