Should I use baking soda around tomato plants?

Numerous gardeners read about putting baking soda around tomatoes to enhance sweetness or disease prevention. This popular myth takes off and quickly becomes widely spread! However, scientific evidence does not back up this claim. Baking soda does not affect the sugar content in fruit, nor does it help manage fungal problems. I've tested this myth for three years with no benefits. In fact, it may negatively impact your soil balance.

When added to soil, baking soda can unpredictably raise the soil pH. Tomatoes prefer a soil pH range of 6.2 to 6.8 for optimal nutrient uptake. Alkalinity increases block uptake of important minerals (such as iron and phosphorus). I have observed pH fluctuations over 1.0 pH units in my own container experiments. This situation causes the leaves to yellow and results in a rapid halt in growth.

Disease prevention is more effectively accomplished with proven and established practices. Utilize drip irrigation to maintain consistent soil moisture levels. Water the plants in the early morning so that the leaves dry before nightfall. Plant with enough spacing to allow airflow to circulate. I space tomatoes 24-36" apart. All of these practices prevent fungal spores from finding a home.

For calcium needs, use proper amendments. Crush cooked eggshells into powder. Before planting, mix into the topsoil. Gypsum for severe deficiencies (I add about 1 cup per plant at transplant). Regular watering will ensure that calcium is taken up into the fruits.

Read the full article: How to Grow Tomatoes: Essential Steps for Success