It is a gardener’s greatest buddy to have baking soda, right? This is the reason why

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## 🌼 3. **Sweeter Tomatoes**

Want **sweeter tomatoes** from your garden? Baking soda can help!

Sprinkle a small amount (just a pinch!) of baking soda around the base of your tomato plants. It lowers the soil’s acidity, which can lead to **less tart, more flavorful fruit**.

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## 🐜 4. **Ant Deterrent**

Sprinkle baking soda in areas where ants tend to invade — garden beds, pots, or even walkways. Mix it with a little sugar to lure them, but it disrupts their digestive systems and keeps them away from your plants.

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## 🪴 5. **Clean Garden Tools and Pots**

Baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive and natural deodorizer — perfect for scrubbing dirty tools, pots, and seed trays.

**Quick Cleaning Paste:**
Mix baking soda with a little water to form a paste. Scrub surfaces, rinse well, and let dry in the sun.

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## 🍋 6. **Test Soil pH**

Don’t have a fancy soil tester? You can get a quick idea of your soil’s pH using baking soda.

**How:**
Take 1 tablespoon of soil and add a little distilled water to make it muddy. Sprinkle some baking soda on top. If it bubbles, your soil is likely acidic (low pH).

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## 🚫 What Baking Soda Can’t Do

While baking soda is incredibly helpful, it’s not a miracle solution. Avoid using too much near young seedlings or in concentrated doses — it can affect soil balance if overused. Always test on a small area first.

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## 🌻 Final Thoughts

From pest control to sweeter tomatoes, **baking soda is a cheap, safe, and multi-purpose tool** that belongs in every gardener’s toolkit. It’s a time-tested trick that gardeners have relied on for generations — and now you can too.

So next time you’re in the garden, grab the baking soda. Your plants will thank you.

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Would you like a printable recipe sheet for DIY baking soda garden sprays or a calendar with seasonal gardening tips?