spif_

Any opinions on the use of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to raise soil pH?

The leaves on 2 of my newest seedlings were becoming very curled and sickly looking, and overall plant growth was severely stunted. I tested the pH of the soil, and found it to be quite acidic. I began adding a small amount of baking soda each time I watered. All of the newer growth on both plants appears to be healthy...

Any negative effects I should be looking out for here?

organic

Baking soda is fine. The only thing you'll have to watch out for is that it is a salt, so if you use much of it you might start developing salt build-up. If your plants gradually start developing burn symptoms, that would be your main suspect.

If you can get agricultural lime, it also adds nutrients and you won't face the salt buildup problem.

rganic