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Baking soda is a standard kitchen staple, used to help doughs and batters rise. But apart from its role as a leavening agent, it’s commonly used at home as a cleaner and deodorizer.I use baking soda combined with dish soap to remove grease stains from clothing, and combined with vinegar to clean my pots and pans. At the same time, I make a paste with water to clean yellow stains off my toilet. I also use it to combat fridge and garbage can odors and freshen stinky shoes and carpets.But aside from being handy around the home, this miraculous product, which is ultra-cheap and eco-friendly, can be used in many ways around the garden. Here I share five top ways to use baking soda in your yard, with a bonus tip for tomato growers.1. Soil tester — is it acidic or alkaline?
(Image credit: Shutterstock)You can use baking soda to find out whether your soil is acidic or alkaline, although it won’t give you a true gauge of its exact pH level. However, it’s a fun experiment to try, especially if you’ve got young children happy to help you out.What to do: 1. Take a jar and partly fill it with soil.2. In a second container, mix two teaspoons of baking powder with 3.5 fl oz of water.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.3. Pour the solution onto the soil. If it bubbles, your soil is acidic, but if there’s no change, your soil is alkaline.For a more accurate reading of your soil’s pH level, I recommend using a soil testing kit.2. Deodorize stinky compost
