Baking soda as a fertilizer for tomatoes in the garden and greenhouse

Useful properties of soda

Many gardeners and gardeners often use baking soda as a plant care product. The beneficial properties of this product make it an indispensable tool for improving the taste of fruits and feeding the plants themselves.

The benefits of sodium bicarbonate for tomatoes are as follows:

Soda solution has an antibacterial effect. Therefore, it is used to clean and disinfect containers for growing seedlings and disinfect seed material.
Soda solution has an alkaline reaction, which destroys pathogenic microorganisms and fungal spores. As a result, many diseases of seedlings and seed are prevented.
After soaking in a baking soda solution, the seeds are charged for active growth. All germination indicators are also improved.
A soda solution is useful in protecting mature bushes from pests such as aphids and caterpillars.

How to water tomatoes with soda

If you feed tomato bushes with a soda solution by watering them at the roots, the fruits will become juicier, tastier and larger. For root feeding, mix 10 grams of powder and 10 liters of warm water. Treatment is carried out every 10 days.

IMPORTANT! After watering, it is recommended to loosen the soil near the roots of the plants.

Advantages and disadvantages

Sodium bicarbonate is actively used for growing plants due to its advantages :

this is an inexpensive product sold in any store;
the product does not contain harmful impurities;
does not emit toxic substances;
used in various fields;
shows good results;
easy to use.

The use of baking soda does not harm plants and has no significant disadvantages. Minor disadvantages include:

after preparing the solution, it cannot be stored for a long time;
processed vegetables become covered with a whitish coating;
a highly concentrated solution is detrimental to plantings.

Prevent the occurrence of diseases and pests with timely treatments

The main advantages of baking soda:

Baking soda is available at any grocery store and is inexpensive.

Minimum costs. Packaging of soda weighing 500 g. costs up to 40 rubles. and lasts for a long time. This is one of the cheapest products used in processing.
Antibacterial and antiviral properties. Soda is good for preventing the occurrence of a variety of diseases and for combating many problems. It is especially effective when treating early stages of diseases and when pests appear.
Strengthening plants. Leaves and stems become much stronger and better resist adverse effects. Tomatoes grow much longer and begin to wilt later than the same plants not treated with soda solution.
Pest repellent. Pests almost never appear on tomatoes that are periodically sprayed with water and soda. Moreover, the composition does not harm the soil, plants, or human health.
Seed germination improves. If you process the planting material as indicated below, you will get the highest possible germination rates. Soda is in no way inferior in effectiveness to such popular remedies as potassium permanganate solution and hydrogen peroxide.
The seedlings take root much better. The solution performed very well when treating plants planted in open ground or in a greenhouse.
Increased productivity and increased number of ovaries. Due to the fact that plants get sick less and absorb nutrients better, treatment during flowering increases the number of ovaries and has a positive effect on yield. In addition, many gardeners note an improvement in the taste of ripened tomatoes.

Treatment of ovaries significantly reduces the likelihood of fruit damage by pests and diseases

In the video, the gardener explains the option of watering plants with a soda solution at the rate of 2 tbsp. l. per bucket of water 3 times per season.

Types of fertilizers based on baking soda

Solutions for applying root and foliar fertilizers are made from sodium bicarbonate. To do this, plants are watered at the root or the bushes are sprayed from above. By using baking soda in this form, they achieve rapid growth of seedlings, improve the taste of the fruits and increase the number of ovaries.

Sometimes soda is applied to the soil, without diluting with water, in dry form. This method of application is beneficial for the soil and reduces its acidity. This is very useful for tomatoes, since they prefer to grow in soils with neutral acidity.

To combat diseases and pests that attack tomato bushes, make a solution of low concentration baking soda. It is used for spraying plants from a spray bottle or watering bushes with a diluted preparation from a watering can through a “shower” nozzle. Once on the foliage, the solution creates an alkaline environment that is harmful to insects and pathogens.

Important! When applying fertilizing, the norms and intervals are observed. Otherwise, productivity decreases. Significant excess of concentration leads to plant death.

Why do tomatoes need soda?

Tomatoes are a popular vegetable crop in Russia. Like other plants, they are susceptible to wilting, disease and pest attacks. To protect tomatoes from damage and get a good harvest, many gardeners try to feed and treat tomatoes with products based on sodium bicarbonate - baking soda.

Baking soda contains a large amount of sodium, which tomatoes need at different stages of development.

Sodium bicarbonate helps to grow strong tomato seedlings and is used for the prevention and treatment of infectious and viral diseases of tomatoes, fungus and pests.

In addition, soda reduces the acidity of the soil in the beds, promotes the growth and development of tomatoes, and increases their resistance to adverse environmental factors.

Timing for applying baking soda fertilizers

Solutions with sodium bicarbonate are effective as fertilizers at different stages of development of tomato bushes. The concentration of the solution and the frequency of application are changed, focusing on the needs of the plants. All working solutions are prepared in warm water at a temperature of +30 to +37 degrees. If spraying is necessary, choose a calm day. Then the fertilizer works more effectively.

Before sowing seeds, they are treated with soda solution. It destroys pathogenic bacteria and gets rid of free radicals. To prepare the product, use 2 liters of warm water and 2 tbsp. l. sodium bicarbonate. The seeds are left in this solution for a day.

Features of application

Fertilizing, spraying and other types of processing with baking soda are relevant at various stages of growing tomatoes. Each stage of plant growth has its own characteristics of preparing the solution and its use.

When preparing seeds

To increase the yield of vegetables planted in the garden, high-quality planting material is used. You can improve the condition of the seeds by soaking them in a 1% soda solution before planting. Duration of soaking – 24 hours.

After planting the seedlings

When planting seedlings in the soil, it is necessary to water the bushes at the root, and spray the tender leaves and trunk with a spray bottle. The recommended concentration of an aqueous soda solution is 5%.

The procedure must be carried out weekly (but not more often, otherwise there is a risk of oversaturation of the soil with sodium bicarbonate and the seedlings getting burned).

Such manipulations allow you to reliably protect tomatoes from various pathogenic microorganisms, fungi, and bacteria. It will serve as a good prophylactic agent to prevent the spread of infections.

At the stage of intensive development

Baking soda for tomatoes during the period of their rapid growth:

accelerates fruit development;
makes the plant healthier and more resilient;
increases productivity.

Treatment with soda solution improves plant health

It is necessary to water the tomato beds with a 1% solution in the evening, weekly, observing how the crop responds to the process.

If burns appear on the leaves and stems, or there are signs of soil oversaturation, the time between procedures should be increased. And if pests or fungus appear, do not delay - the bushes must be sprayed immediately.

After the ovary

After the ovary has appeared on the plants, it is necessary:

fertilize them with root watering using a 3.5% soda solution;
spray the leaves with a weakly concentrated (0.5%) soda mixture.

These procedures will improve the taste of tomatoes and make them juicier.

Disease and pest control

Feeding plants with soda is an effective way to combat various bacterial and fungal diseases and harmful insects.

Powdery mildew. When the first signs of disease appear, prepare an antibacterial agent: 10 liters of clean water, 4 tablespoons of soda, 40 g of crushed or liquid laundry soap (can be replaced with dishwashing detergent). Spray every 7-10 days.
Late blight. Mix 2 tbsp. l. sodium bicarbonate with 1 tbsp vegetable oil and 1 tbsp liquid soap. Dissolve the resulting mixture in 1 liter of clean water. To enhance the effect, you can add ½ matchbox of copper sulfate (copper sulfate). It is necessary to treat the soil around the bushes with the product, and then spray the leaves and stems. The procedure is carried out weekly, in dry weather, in the morning or evening.
Spider mites, aphids. If the number of parasites is small, you can treat the plants by dipping their tops in a solution: baking soda (1 tsp), water (1 l). If a significant number of insects are noticed in the garden or greenhouse, dissolve 4 tbsp in a bucket of water. l soda, 2 tbsp. l liquid soap. Plants need to be sprayed weekly.

SODA is the savior of your garden! Baking soda - feeding for: cucumbers, tomatoes and other plants

BAKING SODA WILL SAVE OUR TOMATOES FROM DISEASES AND PESTS vselennaya uvlesheniy

A unique way of watering and feeding tomatoes. Soda, potassium permanganate, iodine - always at hand!

Pest and disease control

Unlike chemicals, baking soda does not harm plants. Therefore, products based on it can be used even during the period of fruit ripening to save tomatoes from diseases and pest attacks. To do this, use a composition of 10 liters of warm water and 75 g of soda powder. Tomato bushes are sprayed with the prepared preparation every week until the pests disappear.

To prevent infection, use a solution of sodium bicarbonate with a concentration of 5%. They treat the above-ground part of the bush. As a result, the number of ovaries increases, and the green mass retains its rich color.

When to spray tomatoes with soda

It is necessary to treat once every 7-10 days if the tomato bushes are weak, there are signs of disease or the appearance of pests on the plantings. On average, healthy tomatoes need to be fed three times during the entire growing season to germinate.

IMPORTANT! Tomatoes can be treated with soda to set the fruit when necessary. The main thing is not to overdo it: you need to carefully monitor the reaction of tomato bushes to this product and do not spray more than once every 7 days.

Adviсe

To prevent diseases and pests from disturbing tomato bushes during the growing season, treatment is done in accordance with the following recommendations:

Working solutions are prepared only with water separated from chlorine.
If the product is used for foliar treatment, it must be filtered before use.
The prepared product is used immediately. It is not stored for more than three hours.
Soda-based fertilizers are applied early in the morning or late in the evening. Otherwise, the sun's rays may cause burns on the foliage.

Baking soda can be used to control weeds. To do this, prepare a highly concentrated solution of 10 liters of water and 1 kg of powder and water the weeds with it. They will dry out in a few days.

On a note!

At the dacha, it is better to store soda in a glass jar or tin container, closing it with an airtight lid. This way, the powder will not get damp.

What does soda help fight?

Soda is a good helper in the garden and at the dacha. With its help, you can prevent an attack or destroy crop pests. Thanks to its chemical composition, soda can reduce the risk of fungal diseases, as well as normalize the acidity level.

How to protect tomatoes from fungal diseases

Soda in combination with water can neutralize the acidic environment in which fungi and bacteria actively develop. As a result of processing, the acidic environment is replaced by an alkaline one, in which harmful microorganisms immediately die.

The main diseases characteristic of tomatoes and ways to combat them:

Disease	Soda, gram	Water, liter	Additional components	Processing method and frequency
Root rot (blackleg)	100-120	10	Laundry soap – a quarter of a bar	Spraying from a spray bottle once every 7-10 days
Mosaic	120-150	10	Sunflower oil – 25 ml, liquid soap – 1 tbsp. spoon	Spraying from a spray bottle once every 7-10 days
Phytophrotosis and gray rot	120- 150	5	Copper sulfate – 1 tbsp. spoon, laundry soap - a quarter of a piece	Abundant watering of the tops from a watering can with a “shower” nozzle once every 7-10 days
cladosporiosis (brown olive spot)	200	3	Liquid soap – 50 ml	Irrigate with a spray bottle or garden sprayer once a week

Experts recommend carrying out preventive treatments throughout the growing season, starting from the moment of plant transplantation.

How to reduce soil acidity with baking soda

Reducing acidity with sodium bicarbonate has the great advantage that it can be done while the plants are growing. While liming to normalize pH must be carried out long before planting. Soda can be added dry (100 grams per 1 m2) or diluted with water (30 ml per 1 liter of water).

If the pH value is not critical, then separate treatment may not be necessary. Regular application of soda-based fertilizers will gradually bring the soil acidity back to normal.

Pest Control with Sodium Bicarbonate

Baking soda is an excellent alternative to fungicides and insecticides. With its help, you can rid your garden plot even of such difficult-to-remove insects as ants. Several effective ways:

Use a small twig 10-15 cm long to make indentations in the soil. Pour baking soda into them, then pour vinegar and cover with a sheet of roofing material or turf.
Mix granulated sugar with soda in a 1:1 ratio and add 25 ml of water. Spread the resulting paste in insect habitats.

Soda reacts with the acid that is in the body of ants, which leads to their death.

To combat spider mites and aphids, the following remedy works well:

water – 10 liters;
soda – 100 grams;
ash – 300 grams;
liquid soap - 3 tbsp. spoons.

Mix all the ingredients, strain the solution and start spraying the leaves and stems of the tomatoes.

You should know! When treating tomatoes for aphids, special attention should be paid to the lower part of the stem and the back of the leaves.

Reviews

Anna, 48 years old:
I have been using only natural fertilizers and remedies for diseases for a long time. I recently discovered the benefits of baking soda solutions. They really help cope with some diseases and improve the quality of the crop.

Inga, 28 years old:
I started using baking soda at the dacha on the advice of a more experienced friend. She has been using it for feeding for a long time. I recently tried it too. The result pleased me. The tomatoes did not get sick, and the harvest turned out to be rich. The fruits are tasty and sweet.

Application of solutions at different stages of plant development

When growing vegetables in a summer cottage, feeding tomatoes with baking soda is necessary at different stages of growth and development of the vegetable crop.

Seed preparation

It is possible to ensure a good harvest in the garden only when high-quality seed is planted. Tomato seeds can be prepared for planting by soaking them in a solution. To do this, they need to be treated for 24 hours in an aqueous solution containing 1% baking soda.

When soaking seeds in bicarbonate, the period of their stay in it must not be exceeded, so as not to reduce the quality characteristics of the seed.

After planting the seedlings

Immediately after planting the seedlings in the soil, it is recommended to spray the bushes and water them at the root. This will provide reliable protection for the vegetable crop against pests, fungi and bacteria and preserve the future tomato harvest. To feed and water the bushes with baking soda, prepare a solution with a concentration of 5%, spray and water it no more than once a week.

At the stage of intensive development

To increase the intensity of vegetable crop development, soda solutions are used as fertilizer. Spraying and watering tomatoes gives them healthy full growth and increases productivity. For this purpose, make a 1% soda solution, which is used to water the beds with tomato bushes in the evening no more than once a week, while observing how the plants react to the fertilizer. Oversaturation of the soil and burns on the foliage and stems are a sign to increase the interval between sprayings.

Soda solution increases plant productivity

Watering beds with tomatoes at the stage of intensive development in hot weather is not used to avoid burns to the plant.

When primary signs of the presence of insects or fungal diseases appear, tomato bushes are sprayed during the feeding process, without waiting for the next watering time, starting the procedure immediately.

After the ovary

Root watering with a 3.5% soda solution and foliar watering by spraying the leaves with a 0.5% composition will help make vegetables juicy and tasty.

Soaking tomato seeds in soda

When planting tomatoes, it is very important to properly prepare the soil in advance, destroying possible pests and their larvae. To treat the soil, use a solution prepared from 1 liter. water and 100 g

soda powder. Water the soil with the solution. After absorption, loosen the top layer. In this way, the soil can be prepared both for sowing seeds and for planting tomato seedlings in a greenhouse

water and 100 gr. soda powder. Water the soil with the solution. After absorption, loosen the top layer. In this way, the soil can be prepared both for sowing seeds and for planting tomato seedlings in a greenhouse.

Read a separate article about ways to use baking soda in your garden.

Pre-soaking seeds in soda is necessary to disinfect seed material, treat seeds from possible parasites and activate growth. To soak tomato and pepper seeds, prepare a 1% water-soda solution (1 liter of water: 1 tablespoon of soda). Soak the material selected for sowing for 24 hours, then rinse thoroughly and dry.

Also, to increase productivity, in addition to soaking the seeds, tomatoes are fed with soda and iodine. You need to water tomato seedlings using an iodine solution (1 drop of iodine per 3 liters of water). After planting the seedlings in the ground at the dacha, you can apply iodine fertilizing again, the watering rate will be 1 liter. solution for 1 bush.

When starting to process and fertilize with soda, observe the reaction of the plants. Remember - excessive use of soda powder is detrimental to tomato seedlings, so follow the dosage and stop processing at the first alarming signs: wilting of the ovary, sudden yellowing of the leaves, etc.

The video explains how to water tomatoes in the spring.

The most effective solutions (experiment)

Ivan Russkikh, host of the Procvetok channel, researcher at the Faculty of Biology of BSU, conducted an interesting experiment on soaking tomato seeds in different solutions. The following solutions were prepared for treating tomato seeds:

Brilliant solution (1 tsp per 1/2 cup of water)
Potassium permanganate solution (pink)
Chlorhexidine
Garlic infusion (2-3 cloves per 100 ml of water)
Alcohol (40°)
Bleaching
Liquid soap solution
Copper sulfate 2% (1/2 tsp per 100 ml of water)
Aloe juice 50% (50 ml aloe juice + 50 ml water)
Hydrogen peroxide 3%
Boric acid 2%
Iodine (a few drops per 100 ml of water)
Water

The result of the experiment showed that the most effective solutions for soaking tomato seeds were:

Chlorhexedine
Aloe solution
Garlic solution
Brilliant solution
Bleach solution (disinfects but kills seeds)

Top 3 effective solutions for soaking tomato seeds
As practice shows, the decision whether to soak tomato seeds before planting depends on what planting material is used for sowing. If these are store-bought seeds of hybrid tomato varieties, then there is no need to specially soak them before planting. If, for planting tomatoes, you use homemade seed that you have harvested yourself, then pre-sowing soaking in stimulating and disinfecting solutions will allow you to achieve quick, friendly shoots that are resistant to damage by pests and diseases.

Crops that can be fed with soda

All of the above means that not all crops can be fed with soda. It is advisable to use this product only for plants that can actively remove sodium from the soil:

tomatoes;
potato;
eggplant;
peppers;

“Nowadays there are often recommendations to water cucumbers with soda solution. Supposedly, this increases their productivity. I strongly advise against doing this. In 2013, we conducted a similar experiment in our greenhouses. Such fertilizing did not have any effect on productivity. On the contrary, we observed a negative effect: the developing greens acquired bitterness. Hybrids genetically free of bitterness produced watery fruits that quickly spoiled.”

A. Nedzvetskaya, greenhouse agronomist

You should be very careful about online recommendations and check the information you receive. Watering with sodium products, which includes soda solution, is not beneficial for all plants

Recommendations

In order for soda to bring maximum benefit to tomatoes, you need to remember a few useful rules when using it.

To prepare soda solutions, you must use only glass containers - this will prevent the development of unwanted chemical reactions.
Solutions with soda powder cannot be prepared in aluminum containers. Sodium bicarbonate destroys the protective layer of aluminum, which leads to the release of toxic substances.
The effectiveness of fertilizing depends on the water temperature - it should not exceed 50°C. Cold liquid is not used for solutions.
It is best to use rainwater to prepare fertilizers and solutions. If it is not available, you can use tap water, but it must be allowed to settle before use.
Spraying tomatoes with soda solutions should only be done in the early morning or late evening. It is impossible to treat the beds during the daytime, as direct sunlight can lead to burns of wet foliage.
Too frequent use of soda fertilizers can cause serious harm. Sodium bicarbonate settles on the soil during watering, leading to excessive looseness and impaired absorption of micronutrients by tomatoes.
Solutions must be prepared according to recipes. Using the product too often will cause soda to accumulate on the foliage and fruits of tomatoes. As a result, in hot weather the plants get burnt tops.

Baking soda is a simple and effective remedy that is widely used not only in the kitchen, but also in the garden. Soda can be an effective fertilizer for tomatoes at any stage of their development, a natural remedy for protection against diseases and pests. When used correctly, soda will bring maximum benefits to tomatoes and allow you to get a good harvest of tasty and large fruits.

Seedling care

Tips for growing seedlings and caring for them:

Growing tomato seedlings is impossible without good lighting! Therefore, after the seedlings appear, place the pots with seedlings on the brightest windowsill. In February and early March, the light for seedlings will in any case be insufficient, so if possible, use fluorescent lamps for illumination.
Young shoots should be kept at high, almost extreme humidity; drying is unacceptable. Therefore, do not rush to immediately remove the film (glass) from the sowing container. Open it slightly every day so that the seedlings get used to the fresh air, but at the same time remain in the “greenhouse”. After 1-2 weeks, the cover can be completely removed.

As soon as it’s a warm, windless day, take the seedlings out into the fresh air: onto the balcony, outside, or just open the window. Even in March, on a sunny day, on an open balcony the temperature can reach 15-20 C.
Tomato seedlings that were exposed to open air every day, by the time they were planted for permanent residence, quickly outpaced the growth of seedlings that were sown a month earlier, but kept on a windowsill behind glass and without light.
Fertilizing: tomato seedlings need fertilizer 2-3 weeks after the first shoots. In the future, fertilizer will need to be produced every week. It is best to use natural organic fertilizers, such as manure or grass.

Thus, growing tomato seedlings is not too difficult if you know all the nuances of this process.

You can also watch a video where an experienced gardener will show you how to sow tomato seeds in a rolled-up tomato.

Baking soda - ways to use it in the garden

Soda, or, as it is also called, bicarbonate or sodium bicarbonate, is an odorless white powder with a salty taste, soluble in warm and hot water. Every housewife will always have a package of white powder in her kitchen. The food additive on the packaging is designated as E500. But since we are talking about the use of sodium bicarbonate in the garden, we will analyze in detail the range of its applications more widely.

Having a slightly alkaline reaction, it is used to neutralize acidic soil. However, it is necessary to control the acidity of the soil so as not to overly alkalize it. To determine the acidity of the soil, it is enough to take a handful of soil from the depth of the bayonet of a shovel. Sprinkle the soil with bicarbonate powder. If there is a characteristic hissing sound, this indicates that the soil is acidic. If there is no hissing, pour 9% vinegar. If a reaction (hissing) occurs, this is a sign of alkaline soil and the use of soda in this case is not recommended.

To deoxidize the soil, use a solution prepared at the rate of 5-7 g of product per 10 liters of water.

5-7 g of powder is approximately half a teaspoon.

Sodium bicarbonate has weak disinfectant properties. Therefore, it can be used to prevent the development of fungal diseases, for example, powdery mildew, downy mildew of onions and cucumbers. The causative agent of the disease is on the surface, so for prevention purposes, you can spray the bushes with a solution of soda 5 g per 10 liters of water). But on developed late blight, the remedy may not have an effect, since its causative agent is already deeper in the tissues.

With increased acidity, the absorption of such a useful microelement as boron decreases. A sufficient amount of it affects the sugar content and taste of the fruit. If the pH is increased to 6.0-7.0, many microelements will be absorbed better, which will ultimately affect the taste of vegetables and berries.

The use of soda helps in the fight against pests (caterpillars, beetle larvae) and ants. To do this, just mix the dry powder with flour in equal quantities and dust the problem areas.

Sodium bicarbonate is an excellent weed killer. If they have grown between paving slabs or between concrete slabs, then this powder will help you. It is enough to sprinkle the calcined analogue with the detergent used for washing, and then fill these places with warm water. There will be no trace of weeds left. Or prepare a concentrated solution of baking soda - 1 pack per bucket of water and pour the solution over the weeds.

However, it should be remembered that it is not recommended to fight weeds in the beds in this way. Otherwise, along with the weeds, you will destroy your vegetable plantings and flowers.

Treat seedlings after planting

Stage 1. Prepare a solution for seedlings in the correct proportions
Use a 5% soda solution. The easiest way is to dilute the composition in a small amount of water to mix it well and then add it to the water and mix in the required proportions.

Prepare the liquid immediately before use. It does not need to be left standing; the best effect is achieved if used immediately after mixing the components.

Stage 2. Water once a week for a month
Carry out work only after sunset. Use warm water, or even better, let it sit for 24 hours so that it warms up to the ambient temperature. Another great option is rainwater.

Water generously. For maximum effect, moisture must saturate the soil to a depth of at least 10 cm. Pour at least 5 liters onto each plant.

When planting, also use this solution.

Stage 3. Spray weekly
Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and treat the plants. If the areas are large, it is more convenient to use a large version of the sprayer, as the speed of work will increase significantly.

Work in the evening. If you spray tomatoes under the sun, burns will appear on the leaves. Therefore, the optimal time is after sunset

Why soda

The popularity of soda (sodium bicarbonate) is based on properties that are based on the substances in its composition (sodium, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen):

dissolves well and quickly in water, forming an alkaline solution;
is an antiseptic and helps destroy various fungal and bacterial infections on seeds, planting containers, and soil;
has a stimulating effect, increasing germination, accelerating seed germination and plant growth rates;
helps in the fight against pests and diseases of garden crops;
does not accumulate in plant tissues;
how alkali helps maintain the acid balance of the soil.

On a note! To prepare soda solutions, do not use metal utensils or hot water. The beneficial properties of the solution are maintained for three hours.