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Too Much Baking Soda in Soil #749555

Asked May 12, 2021, 4:51 PM EDT

Our nanny was doing a project with the kids and wound up with a bunch of baking soda/water slurry. She dumped it out on to a patch of Leptinella squalida. In a panic, we dumped a bunch of water on the patch to try to dilute it out...I think we just managed to distribute it through a larger patch of soil. I am pretty sure the plants are dead, is there anything we can do to condition the soil or do we need to dig it out and replace it? It is probably around 6 to 9 cubic feet of material affected with about a cup or so of baking soda. I attached a photo showing the extents (the tape measure is about 3ft extended, I added a yellow outline just outside the affected area) and a close up showing the dead vs live plants. Thanks!

Multnomah County Oregon

Expert Response

If you want to try to 'neutralize' the baking soda, you can spritz vinegar but that could generate heat that can further burn what plants may survive. However, I think the damage is already done and you are better off just watering as the baking soda will eventually wash away.   No need to replace the soil but I would wait until the fall to try to plant it with anything.

Regards and happy gardening! Replied May 12, 2021, 8:09 PM EDT

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