Baking soda.

 Baking soda is a gardener’s best friend: here are 10 clever uses in the garden.          

1. Natural Fungicide: Mix baking soda with water and liquid soap to spray on plants and combat fungal diseases like powdery mildew.          

2. Weed Killer: Directly apply baking soda on garden weeds to kill them without harming surrounding plants.          

3. Pest Deterrent: A mixture of baking soda and flour can deter pests like cabbage worms and aphids when dusted on plants.          

4. Soil Amendment: Baking soda can be used to neutralize overly acidic soil improving the environment for plant growth.          

5. Tomato Sweetener: Sprinkle baking soda around tomato plants to decrease soil acidity resulting in sweeter tomatoes.          

6. Compost Enhancer: Speed up the composting process by making the environment more alkaline with baking soda.          

7. Odor Absorber: Neutralize odors in areas like compost bins by sprinkling baking soda.          

8. Tool Cleaner: Clean gardening tools by scrubbing them with a baking soda paste to remove dirt and rust.          

9. Seed Germination: Enhance seed germination by soaking seeds in a baking soda solution before planting.         

10. Ant Repellent: Deter ants by creating barriers with baking soda around plants or ant trails.