When November arrives in Illinois, your lawn needs extra care to survive the cold months ahead. Baking soda is an affordable, eco-friendly solution that can solve many common lawn problems this time of year.
From fighting fungus to balancing soil, this simple kitchen staple offers surprising benefits that will keep your grass healthy through winter.
1. Combat Lawn Fungus Naturally
Fungal diseases love the damp, cool conditions that Illinois experiences in November. Baking soda creates an alkaline environment that makes it difficult for fungi to thrive and spread across your grass.
Mix four tablespoons of baking soda with a gallon of water and spray affected areas weekly. You’ll notice brown patches and powdery mildew clearing up within two to three weeks of consistent application.
Always apply in the morning so the solution can dry properly throughout the day.
2. Balance Acidic Soil Conditions
Illinois soil often becomes too acidic from heavy rainfall and decomposing organic matter. Your grass struggles to absorb nutrients when pH levels drop too low, resulting in weak, yellowing turf.
Sprinkling baking soda lightly across your lawn helps neutralize acidity and restore proper pH balance. Test your soil first with an inexpensive kit from any garden center to determine how much you need.
Aim for a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 for optimal grass health during winter dormancy.
3. Eliminate Stubborn Weeds Safely
Weeds like crabgrass and dandelions don’t give up easily, even as temperatures drop in November in Illinois. Baking soda works as a natural herbicide that targets weeds without harming the environment or your family.
Pour a generous amount directly onto weed crowns and between sidewalk cracks where they grow. The sodium disrupts their cellular function, causing them to dry out and die within days.
Avoid spreading baking soda on grass you want to keep healthy and green.
4. Freshen Up Pet Odor Spots
Dog urine leaves behind unpleasant smells and brown spots that become more noticeable as grass growth slows in November. Baking soda absorbs odors effectively while helping neutralize the nitrogen that burns your Illinois lawn.
Sprinkle a light layer over problem areas and water it in gently with a hose. The powder will work into the soil and reduce both the smell and visible damage from pet waste.
Reapply every two weeks throughout the month for best results and odor control.
5. Deter Lawn Pests Effectively
Insects like ants and grubs remain active underground even as November temperatures cool down in Illinois. Baking soda disrupts their exoskeletons and makes your lawn less inviting for these unwanted visitors.
Create a barrier by sprinkling baking soda along ant trails and around areas where you’ve noticed pest activity. Mix it with powdered sugar for ant control—they’ll carry it back to their colonies.
Reapply after rain or snow to maintain protection throughout the month and into winter.
6. Clean Lawn Equipment Easily
November is the perfect time to clean and store your mower, trimmer, and other lawn tools before winter arrives in Illinois. Baking soda removes grass stains, dirt, and rust without harsh chemicals that damage metal or plastic parts.
Make a paste with water and scrub equipment surfaces using an old brush or cloth. The gentle abrasive action lifts stubborn grime while deodorizing your tools for winter storage.
Rinse everything thoroughly and dry completely to prevent rust from forming during cold months ahead.
7. Improve Compost Pile Health
Your compost pile might develop unpleasant odors as you add final grass clippings and leaves in November. Baking soda controls smell while helping maintain the proper pH balance that decomposing organisms need to work efficiently.
Sprinkle a cup over each new layer of organic material you add to the pile. The powder neutralizes acidic compounds that cause foul smells and accelerates the breakdown process.
Well-balanced compost will be ready to enrich your lawn when spring planting season arrives in Illinois.