The combination of these two ingredients is a home remedy used by many gardeners to revitalise plants and soil. Read also: Neither coffee nor eggshells: homemade fertilisers for plant health and care are considered “green gold”
Backyards full of geranium pots, large gardens and city parks are cult. In fact, it is one of the countries in the world with more plants per household. There are few places where you won’t find large green spaces with flowering, non-flowering and even houseplants.
When it comes to our homes, plants are not only a decorative element, there are several reasons to have them in the house, but most importantly, they improve the atmosphere and contribute to our well-being. However, like all good things, they are not easy to maintain.
Plants need special care, which is sometimes not even enough. There are many factors that interfere with their well-being, aesthetics and even their growth. For the latter, according to experts, they have a formula that “never gets old”: brown sugar and bicarbonate.
Homemade fertiliser made from brown sugar and bicarbonate
The combination of brown sugar and baking soda is a home remedy used by many gardeners to improve the health of plants and soil. It is also one of the methods that the Online Gardening Institutehas identified as one of the “most effective”.
Brown sugar is a natural source of energy that can benefit plants in many ways. When added to the soil or diluted with irrigation water, it helps to feed the beneficial micro-organisms in the substrate, promoting a balanced microbial ecosystem. These micro-organisms break down organic matter and facilitate access to essential nutrients.
In addition, brown sugar promotes better mineral uptake, improves root development and encourages vigorous foliage growth. It is also used to root cuttings as it provides an initial source of energy to help new plants adapt.
On the other hand, sodium bicarbonate has antifungal and alkalising properties. Its application to plants helps to prevent fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and rust by altering the pH of the leaf surface and inhibiting the growth of these pathogens.
Sodium bicarbonate can be used to reduce the acidity of the soil for some plants that prefer a more alkaline substrate, thereby improving their ability to absorb nutrients. When used sparingly, it can protect leaves and stems from fungal attack without adversely affecting the plant.
Combining brown sugar and baking soda further increases the benefits. Using both ingredients together not only nourishes the soil and strengthens the plant, but also protects it against possible fungal diseases. It also promotes healthy growth.
How to make and use homemade sugar and bicarbonate compost
According to the Online Gardening Institute, the mixture requires 20 g of brown sugar and 15 g of baking soda. According to their Instagram profile, it not only helps plants grow, but also increases yields.
The mixture can be dissolved in water and used for watering or applied in small amounts directly to the base of the plants. To use it, the roots should be watered or the leaves sprayed every seven days. In this way, ‘plants will take root more quickly, flower more and produce higher yields’.
It is important not to overdo it, as too much sugar can attract pests such as ants or moulds, while too much bicarbonate can change the pH of the soil and affect nutrient uptake.
The right combination of these fertilisers can lead to a healthier garden and strong, hardy and well-nourished plants. Their use is a natural alternative to commercial fertilisers and fungicides, especially in organic gardens or organic farming where the aim is to reduce the use of artificial chemicals.
