Molasses
By Bruce Lee Deuley - 12/23/02

If you're on your way to becoming an organic gardener and want to "kick it up a notch" then, molasses needs to be in your arsenal of organic soil supplements.

Much of the s oil we are planting in theses days has been burned out by the use of synthetic fertilizers or depleted by overuse and under care.

Most forms of sugar will give the microbes in your soil a boost. Just like most living things, Microbes acquire their energy from sugars by converting carbohydrates in the environment to glucose. When we add a sugar source to the soil we give the little guys a free meal.

In addition to the sugar content in molasses, it also has a long list of trace minerals that are good for the soil as well as a good shot of sulfur.

If your lawn area has been surviving only on synthetic fertilizers in the past and you want to bring it back to life. First, get enough organic compost to cover the surface with 1/4 to 1/2 inch of the material. Be a little more careful if you have St. Augustine grass because it does not like to be covered up.

After you have the compost distributed, water it in until the grass is showing through. Now, using a hose end sprayer set to 2 ounces per gallon fill it with Molasses and thoroughly water the whole area.

You may have to do this procedure a couple of times to get the soil back to life but the difference in the look of your lawn as well as the feel of the soil will soon become apparent. The same procedure can be used in your flower and vegetable gardens.

For an even more effective mix, add an ounce of liquid seaweed and an ounce of natural apple cider vinegar to each gallon of spray.

In the house, once a month when you are watering your indoor plants, add 1/2 ounce of molasses to your watering mix. If you are already using Medina Hasta-gro or one of the other liquid organic fertilizers, all the better just add the Molasses they will give the mixture a little kick.

You can use the Molasses you buy at the grocery store but horticultural Molasses can be purchased at most good nursery outlets by the gallon at a much better rate and is just as good if not better for your plants since it has not had the sulfur removed.

Also, if it is more convenient, Dried Molasses is available in 40 and 50 lbs. bags and may be easier to use for some applications but it is a little harder to find and if you allow it to get damp it becomes as hard as a rock.

Have a "sweet" Holiday and remember "feed the soil".

Next week: Vinegar in the garden