Baking Soda Is a Household Staple: Its Clever Uses in Gardening Go Beyond Extending Bloom Time

What, an alkali can be used to grow flowers? Isn't that for making steamed buns? Are you messing with me because I don't know any better? I really don't believe it can grow flowers. Fine, let's see what you can come up with.

1. Testing soil acidity and alkalinity

This one is very commonly used, because some plants prefer acidic soil and some prefer alkaline soil. We can use baking soda to test the acidity and alkalinity of the soil, which helps us choose what to plant. We put the chosen soil into distilled water. Then here's a method: we take some of the soil we need, mix it with tap water, then take a small amount of baking soda from the kitchen, put it in and stir. At this point, if there is a lot of foam, that means the soil's pH is around 5.

2. Fungicide

As a fungicide, the effect is also quite good. We can directly dilute it with water and use it to water flowers. However, note that you should not use too much alkali, otherwise over a long period the soil will become salinized and alkaline. Also, when watering flowers with alkaline water, pour it directly into the soil, not onto the leaves.

3. Eliminating slugs

Speaking of slugs, they are a paradise for plants - no, wait, they cause great harm to plants, and they are also very disgusting. For this pest, we directly dilute baking soda with water into a solution and sprinkle it where slugs often appear. The next time the slugs come and crawl over it, they will die from dehydration.

4. Extending how long flowers stay in bloom

Many people have encountered this situation: someone they like gives them beautiful flowers, but after a few days, the flowers gradually wither, and at that moment, many people feel as if their heart is withering too. Actually, if you want to prevent cut flowers from withering, baking soda can also play a role. We pour two-thirds of the water into a vase, then add a small spoonful of baking soda, stir it evenly, soak the flower stems in it for a while, then put them back in the original vase. You will find that after ten days to half a month, the flowers are still very vibrant.

5. Killing ants

Everyone who grows flowers knows that ants often appear in the places where they grow flowers. This is rather annoying. You should also know that ants are tiny, but they can bite people. Many people like growing flowers, but considering this problem, they have had to reluctantly give it up! But now there is a simple method that can kill ants! We put some sugar in a glass, then add some baking soda, make a solution with water, and then sprinkle it where ants often appear. After a while, you will be able to see many ant corpses! This is because after ants eat the mixture of sugar powder and baking soda, it is like people eating a toxic substance - they will slowly die.

I didn't lie to you, did I? So how about it, no need to worry about not being able to use up the baking soda at home anymore.