Baking soda is usually confined to the kitchen although it can also be used to assist in cleaning around the house. Because it is biodegradable and non toxic it can also be used in the garden. In fact the first suggested application is in the house as a houseplant cleaner. Moving into the garden the cleaning powers of baking soda can be used on garden furniture and the bird bath. Aside from cleaning it has uses as fertilizer and slug killer. I found this list of seventeen ways to use baking soda on the Balcony Garden Web site.

100% ecological, baking soda can be used at any time of the year, in every corner of the garden. It is biodegradable and nontoxic. It can be a slight replacement for the pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals you use in your garden.

Baking Soda Uses in the Garden

1. Houseplant Cleaner

It is important to regularly clean the foliage of your houseplants to remove dust and grease, to promote photosynthesis. For this, our recommendation for you is to carefully move a soft, lint-free cloth moistened with the solution of water and sodium bicarbonate (a pinch of baking soda in one liter of water) on the surface of leaves (top and bottom).

2. Clean Garden Furniture

Add 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 tablespoon dishwashing liquid in a gallon of warm water. Take a sponge and clean the garden furniture with it and then rinse it with clear water.

3. Give Plants a Boost

Mix together 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon clear ammonia and 1 teaspoon Epsom salt in a gallon of water. Mix well and give each plant about a quart of the solution. This solution will work as a fertilizer, the plants that are looking dull, and growing slowly will perk up, rejuvenate their growth and become lush green.

4. Keep the Smell of Compost away

To keep the smell from compost pile under control, use a small amount of baking soda to eliminate odor. This helps prevent acidity build up.

5. Clean Bird Bath and Pots

To clean your bird bath and pots, sprinkle baking soda on it and clean with damp cloth or scrubber. After cleaning, rinse thoroughly and allow them to dry out completely.

6. Get Rid of Slugs

Want to get rid of slugs? Simply sprinkle baking soda on them.

7. Encourage Plants to Bloom

Dissolve 1 tablespoon of baking soda into 2 quarts of water and use this to water your flowering plants to encourage blooming.

See more at Balcony Garden Web