Content
- 1 Is it possible to water tomatoes with soda?
- 2 Advantages and disadvantages
- 3 Rules for preparing the solution
- 4 How to soak tomato seeds in soda
- 5 Methods for processing tomatoes with soda
- 6 How to feed tomatoes with baking soda
- 7 Pest and disease control
- 8 Conclusion
- 9 Reviews on the use of baking soda for tomatoes in the garden
Baking soda is a universal remedy used in the kitchen, at home and in the garden. To increase yield, many advise watering tomatoes with soda. The substance protects the plant from pests and at the same time is a mineral supplement. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the solution, as well as how justified such a decision is - first things first.
Is it possible to water tomatoes with soda?
Many gardeners are interested in whether it is even possible to water tomatoes with a baking soda solution. Answer: yes. The product is sodium bicarbonate, which improves germination, normalizes the acidity of the environment, and protects against insects. The substance can be used in any season.
Advantages and disadvantages
Baking soda is suitable for tomatoes in a greenhouse and in open ground. The plant should be moistened in moderate dosages.
Pros:
- protects against pests;
- improves the taste of tomatoes;
- stabilizes acidity;
- protects fruits from bad weather;
- stimulates growth;
- increases the number of ovaries;
- helps tomatoes adapt to new conditions;
- improves germination;
- produces a disinfecting effect;
- strengthens the immune system;
- safety;
- low cost.
Minuses:
- If you overuse additives, you can cause serious damage to tomatoes and soil.
Rules for preparing the solution
Despite the fact that soda is a natural product, it is important to know how to properly prepare the solution:
- The dishes should not be metal. Use exclusively glass containers.
- The liquid is heated to 55 °C. As the temperature increases, soda will lose its properties.
- Before use, wash the dishes thoroughly. Otherwise, a chemical reaction may occur.
- The composition is used immediately. If you wait a few hours, it may lose its effectiveness.
Soda is a useful remedy for tomato seedlings. However, even experienced gardeners need to know when to use it in moderation.
How to soak tomato seeds in soda
The substance helps improve the germination of planting material. The seeds are immersed in a solution of 10 liters of water and 100 g of sodium bicarbonate. The samples are left there for one day, after which they begin planting. In the near future, you should not water the tomatoes with soda, so as not to harm the plant.
Methods for processing tomatoes with soda
Tea soda for tomatoes and for the garden effectively helps cope with pests. To protect the fruits and increase yield, begin processing the roots and leaves.
Watering at the root
If seedlings grow in the ground, they need to be watered with the mixture at the root. Dilute 25 tablespoons (without a slide) in 10 liters of water and process for 10 days. If the seeds have not yet been planted, you can pour baking soda into the hole.
Spraying
If you spray the bushes through a spray bottle, their yield will increase. Use 100 g of the substance and 10 liters of water. Spray in the evening, do this every day for a week. If the soil has become alkaline and burn marks appear on the leaves, stop moisturizing.
The entire bush is sprayed with a spray bottle. At the same time, you need to watch the cultural response.
How to feed tomatoes with baking soda
Baking soda for tomato seedlings has the same effect in any season. The main thing is that the temperature is not too high.
After planting the seedlings
After planting, the variety should be watered at the root, and the leaves should be moistened with a spray bottle. 500 g of substance per 10 liters of water is enough. To prevent the soil from becoming oversaturated with sodium, feed once a week. Soda will protect seedlings from rot, fungi and other bacteria, and increase immunity from infection.
In the phase of active growth
You can water the solution during the active growth phase. At the same time, the tomatoes will turn out large and tasty. Use 100 g of powder per 10 liters of water. Feed once every 7 days, while simultaneously observing the response.
If burns begin to appear on the foliage, increase the time between feedings or stop use completely. When a gardener notices a fungus, there is no need to hesitate - water immediately after detection.
After the appearance of the ovary
The recipe for feeding tomatoes with soda after the ovary appears is as follows:
- 350 g of soda are diluted in 10 liters of water.
- Water the root zone.
- If you need to spray the leaves, use 50 g per 10 liters.
Water once a week. This will improve the taste of the tomatoes, making them meatier and juicier.
If used annually, sodium will worsen the condition of the soil, making it more sticky and alkaline. In turn, this affects the state of culture.
Pest and disease control
Feeding tomatoes with baking soda in a greenhouse or in open ground increases the plant’s immunity, protects against the development of infections, fungal diseases, and pests:
- Late blight. When the first symptoms appear, mix 2 tablespoons of the substance with 1 tbsp. l. liquid soap and 1 tbsp. l. vegetable oil. The resulting pulp is diluted in 1 liter of water. For reliability, you can add copper sulfate (half a matchbox). Water near the roots, then spray the rest of the tomatoes. Repeat no more than once a week, in the evening in the absence of precipitation.
- Powdery mildew. 40 g of liquid soap (you can use Fairy) are diluted in 10 liters of water, add 4 tablespoons of soda. Spray the leaves for 10 days.
- Aphid.Insecticides are usually used, but if the insect has not yet had time to reproduce, it can be dealt with with 1 liter of water and 1 tablespoon of soda. If the composition does not help, increase the concentration to 2 liters of water and 4 tablespoons of the substance, and add 2 tbsp to the solution. l. liquid soap. Tomatoes need to be watered several times a week. The product also works against spider mites.
Conclusion
Watering tomatoes with baking soda is easy. The product is in every home, and if not, it is available in all stores. It is precisely because of the low cost that gardeners choose this recipe. In comparison with expensive drugs, they produce a similar effect: they increase immunity, improve germination, fight microorganisms, and repel pests.
Reviews on the use of baking soda for tomatoes in the garden
Margarita Stepanova, Astrakhan
I don’t know who and when came up with the idea of watering tomatoes with soda, but I am grateful to him. The crop fell ill with powdery mildew, and there was no money for drugs. Then I tried using the solution. By the way, water immediately after cooking. I read that the composition erodes.