Many gardening enthusiasts dream of a lush garden brimming with bountiful, crimson tomato plants — but plenty of gardeners know that tomatoes can be plagued by pests and turn out sour. But with a simple and common kitchen ingredient, you can battle pests while also increasing your chances of thriving beds and pots.

The struggle is real for anyone who has tried growing their own vegetables and fruit — constantly battling to stave off slugs or watching helplessly as gorgeous, homegrown tomatoes are besieged by unwanted critters. Yet,  gardeners needn't wave the white flag in defeat to these pesky invaders — there's a treasure trove of effective solutions at hand. Tackling the myriad of tomato menaces can be done with a simple homemade repellent made from baking soda, water, and soap.

Tomatoes thrive in less acidic soil and this is where baking soda comes in. However, it must be used correctly to stop the soil's pH fluctuating too high or too low - as tomatoes do not like either extreme.

Baking soda, or bicarbonate of soda, is a rising agent used in cakes but also works well in the garden as a natural way to control weeds, pests, and disease, according to Southern Living.

As it's a salt, it can cause wilting and stunted growth on any plant it comes into contact with, so apply small amounts only near the plants you are treating. As it's not a long-term treatment, other options may be more beneficial.

But baking soda is an alkaline that helps lower soil acidity. Tomatoes prefer soil that is slightly acidic to neutral (6.2 to 6.8), so adjusting the soil pH can improve absorption of nutrients and may result in sweeter fruit.

However, too much baking soda may increase alkalinity, which tomatoes don't like, and it needs to be applied frequently. Lime is an alternative that raises the pH of acidic soil, is a good source of calcium, and helps prevent blossom end rot.

Tomatoes also face onslaughts from pests that can ruin every inch of them, from fruit and foliage to roots and stems. Diverse as these vermin are in their tactical annihilation, they typically result in tomato plants suffering from stunted growth and less fruit.

Baking soda acts as a barrier that dehydrates slugs, causes ants to lose their scent trail, and keeps aphids away. Sprinkle it around the base of tomato plants to deter these pests. Neem oil is an alternative that impacts a wider range of pests.