My first introduction to the cleaner Borax was in the 1950s when I watched Death Valley Days on television. Actress Rosemary DeCamp would demonstrate how effective the product was cleaning laundry during commercial breaks. And I assumed from that day on that it wasn’t a substance that you would want to put in your garden.
Believe it or not, Borax can do a lot of good for your garden. (Courtesy: balconygardenweb.com)
Today, that belief lingers. In fact, some sites on the Internet claim that Borax is toxic. Also known as sodium tetraborate, the substance was first mined by the Persians more than 4,000 years ago and features minerals found in concentration in dried salt lake beds. It consists of water, sodium, boron, and oxygen. It is not toxic. In fact, boron is an essential trace mineral nutrient that is necessary for rebuilding bone and teeth, and as a hormone regulator. It also absorbs and metabolizes calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. It is ever-present in soil and water and assists plants to grow.
So, now that you know that it doesn’t hurt your plants, there are a number of ways it can be used in the garden.
It can be used to:
· Kill Weeds
· Remove Rust From Garden Tools
· Disinfect And Clean Garden Tools
· Kill Ants
· Fertilize
· Kill Green Fly on Roses
Kill Weeds
Borax is the main ingredient of a homemade mixture that kills weeds. Simply add 10-ounces of powdered Borax into 2.5-gallons of water and mix thoroughly. It is advised that you put the solution into a spray bottle and coat the leaves of the weeds that are springing up in your yard. Don’t spray the solution on plants, saturate the soil with it, or allow it to contact bare skin.
Remove Rust From Garden Tools
If you notice rust buildup on your garden tools, then mix Borax and lemon juice together to form a paste. Apply it to the rust on the tools and allow it to set for at least 30 minutes. Scour with a scrub brush and repeat, then rinse the tools clean with water.
Kill Ants
If you happen to see a plethora of ants crawling around in your garden, then you can use Borax to create ant bait that is sure to save your plants from torment. Microwave maple syrup or honey and then Mix equal amounts of Borax with the honey or maple syrup and apply to the affected spot. To manufacture solid ant bait, create a solution consisting of three-quarters sugar and one-quarter Borax. Stir well to make sure it mixes completely.
Disinfect And Clean Garden Tools
Something you may want to do fairly often after tinkering in the garden is to disinfect and clean the garden tools. Mix half a cup of Borax in a gallon of water. Soak the tools in the solution and scrub. Once the tools are clean, rinse them thoroughly with water and leave them to dry in the open air and sunshine.
Fertilize
The boron in Borax is ideal for the health and growth of plants. If the soil is deficient of it, there can be an adverse effect on pollen grains and results in poor pollen vitality and reduced number of flowers per plant as well as stunted root growth.
If your plants display dying growing tips, bushy stunted growth, or low productivity, then it is suggested that you test the soil. Acidic soil or sandy soil with low organic matter is a sign that there is a deficiency of boron. Moreover, cabbages, celery, strawberries, apples and other types of vegetables and fruit require high amounts of boron and the application of Borax helps with that. Mix a solution that includes 11 percent household or agricultural grade Borax at the rate of 1 tablespoon per 100 square feet of land where the boron is required. Apply the solution evenly and mix thoroughly with the soil. An alternative way to apply the substance is to dissolve 1 tablespoon of Borax in 1 gallon of water and apply using a watering can. Apply 1 fluid ounce of the mixture per plant.
Kill Green Fly On Roses
If after inspecting your roses you notice green flies, then Borax can be used to remedy this problem, too. Dissolve 25 grams of Borax in a little hot water and include up to 600 ml of cold water and apply to the roses and other plants. It is also ideal for ridding insects from in and around bark.
