thommoos":285ddu1z said:
Master Gardeners for Lawns recommend a concoction of 1 can beer, 1 cup ammonia, 1 cup dish soap, 1 cup liquid lawn fertilizer, 1 cup molasses.
I'd run across a similar recipe a few years ago and wondered about whether it would work.
I did some research to try to determine why it would work and here's what I came up with:
Beer - Would add extra sugars for energy to stimulate growth.
May also add beneficial microbes because of beers fermetation process, but I couldn't find anything that would substatiate that theory.
Ammonia - will add quick boost of nitrogen
Dish soap - Intended to act as a surfactant/wetting agent to aid nutrient absorbtion. However, soaps can also have an herbicidal effect by leaving a film on foliage, especially broadleafed foliage, that will eventually smother the plant. I would use the soap sparingly, or even elimiate if it were me. The detergents in the ammonia would seem to be sufficient for the purpose, IMO.
Molasses - Like the beer, it adds sugars for energy.
Liquid fertilizer - self explanitory
I've also seen recipes that added a can of non-diet soda. Also to add more sugars, possibly may add trace phosphorus from the phosphoric acid, but again, could not find anything to substantiate that claim.
In short, it seems that this concoction would be like a "healthy snack" for well established and generally healthy lawns. I think it would also aid nutrient absorbtion if it were watered in after application. It will not add enough nutrients to increase long term soil health.
While I think it would be an interesting experiment (on a small scale) to use the formula as a supplimental feeding, I wouldn't bet the farm on it's efficacy as a replacement for your current soil/grass management.
My :2cents: