Fight Black Spot and Powdery Mildew with Baking Soda Spray

Black Spot, powdery mildew and other fungal infections can be a disaster in your garden and once the infection has set in, there’s usually little you can do to save your plants. It’s all about prevention.

To combat fungus problems this year, try this organic spray made with baking soda, vinegar, water, canola oil and insecticidal soap early in the season. I found this tip courtesy of the Rodale Institute and it’s very effective in fighting black spot and powdery mildew.

Baking soda & vinegar solution for powdery mildew and black spot

Mix:

• 1.5 tablespoons of baking soda
• 1 tablespoon of insecticidal soap
• 1 tablespoon of canola oil
• 1 cup of water
• Then add 1 tablespoon of vinegar (it’s important to add the vinegar last so the liquid doesn’t bubble over)
• Pour the mixture into a backpack or pump sprayer, followed by 1 gallon of water. Tighten the lid and shake well to mix.

Make sure your backpack or pump sprayer hasn’t been used for spraying an herbicide or you may harm your plants. Wash your sprayer THOROUGHLY before adding the mixture.

Spray the tops and bottoms of leaves and the stems. The canola oil makes the substance stick to the plants and the insecticidal soap helps fight insect pests.

Treat plants before you spot powdery mildew

This baking powder and vinegar solution is a preventative measure and should be used before powdery mildew or black spot symptoms appear on your plants. Once symptoms appear, plants should be bagged and disposed of (not composted) to prevent further infection of your garden.