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January can be a difficult time for some garden plants and flowers, as the weather and climate could encourage the spread of fungal diseases. To help combat any fungal problems one gardening expert suggested using a popular natural ingredient used in many a home hack.

In a recent TikTok video, gardening expert Ish sang the praises of baking soda to combat various fungal problems. Ish said: "Of all of the many uses of bicarbonate of soda - or baking soda - one thing you can do for your garden is make an antifungal spray. And especially in January when it's a bit wet and gross, you may find some things are suffering."

All you need to do is mix one teaspoon of baking soda with 500ml of water in a spray bottle. Give the bottle a good shake so the baking soda dissolves.

Lightly spray the solution on any affected leaves once a week. It can also be sprayed on suffering from powdery mildew and even black spot, or it can be used as a preventative measure. Spray the mixture over the affected area, making sure it's generously saturated.

Make sure to reapply the solution to plants after it has rained to help control the spread of the fungus. As an antifungal agent, baking soda changes the leaf's surface pH, making it less acidic and harder for black spot fungus to grow.

To prevent fungal diseases, such as black spot, and powdery mildew from forming or returning, the Royal Horticultural Society explained that the best form of control is by avoiding pests, diseases and weeds, as well as good garden hygiene, and introducing "natural enemies".

The RHS urged gardeners to collect and destroy any fallen leaves during the autumn, and to also pick off and dispose of any leaves that stay on the plant during the winter months. Gardeners should also avoid using fungicides, as this could reduce biodiversity, impact soil health, and have adverse effects on the environment.

However, The Spruce warned that baking soda needs to be used correctly, otherwise it has the potential to kill any plant it comes in contact with. This includes lawns, flowers, and vegetables.

Experts at The Spruce listed a number of other benefits baking soda can have in the garden. These include killing weeds; deterring pests like slugs and snails; and helping to get more blooms on flowers.

To help encourage more blooms, sprinkle the baking soda around the base of ornamental flowers such as geraniums, coneflowers, daylilies, and clematis. There are a handful of ornamental plants that prefer alkaline soil.

A few teaspoons of baking soda can also be mixed with a litre of water and sprayed on other ornamentals, such as hydrangeas and lilacs.