Want Sweet Tomatoes? Add Baking Soda!

There’s nothing like a ripe homegrown tomato, and tomatoes are one of the most popular types of produce to grow at home. But have you ever bitten into one and wished it was sweeter? Baking soda could be the answer.

If you know how to grow tomatoes and don’t want to change your process but want a sweeter flavor, the simple addition of baking soda can make a big difference.

The pantry staple may slightly alter the flavor of tomatoes thanks to its alkalinity.

Tomatoes are highly acidic. Placing baking soda around the soil of your tomato plants will lower the pH level and reduce some of that acidity, helping the fruit taste sweeter when it’s time to harvest.

As a bonus, when used correctly, baking soda can also help to ward off some pests! To use it as a pesticide, mix one teaspoon of baking soda with 1/2 teaspoon of dish soap, then dilute with a gallon of water.

There hasn’t been a ton of research performed to back up this hack, but it’s something you can safely try for yourself if you’re growing tomatoes this year. If you want to see exactly how the baking soda is impacting the pH levels of your garden, consider investing in a soil pH meter.

That doesn’t mean you should dump a whole box of baking soda into your garden. Instead, sprinkle a light amount around your tomato plants, water them as you normally would, and do your own taste test once they’re ripe!