Have you offered your lawn a beer lately?
Over the past few months, we all have been affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Many homeowners have found a renewed interest and time to care for their lawns. As a result, lush lawns have become an unintended silver lining of this unprecedented time.
The team at AR Metallizing is fond of beer, as our substrates are utilized to produce beautiful beer labels around the world. Our love for beer goes beyond consumption, here is an effective mixture that you can make with several common items found around the house to fertilizer your grass. Simply combine the 5 ingredients noted below and apply utilizing a hose end sprayer. This mixture should last through the consumption of roughly 10 gallons of water.
| Imperial | Ingredients | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| 12 oz | Bottle of beer | 355 ml |
| 12 oz | Soda (not diet) | 355 ml |
| 1/2 cup | Dish soap (not antibacterial) | 118 ml |
| 1/2 cup | Ammonia | 118 ml |
| 1/2 cup | Mouthwash | 118 ml |
Would you like to understand the science behind this fertilizer mixture?
Here at AR Metallizing, we have a robust team of R&D scientists that enjoy sharing chemistry insight in and out of the office. Here is the breakdown of how each item helps to benefit the health and beauty of your lawn.
Beer
The organic material found within your favorite beers help to promote the health of your grass. This primal matter feeds the bacteria that lives within grass. (Of course, our team would recommend utilizing a beer in a glass bottle, that has a metallized paper label … However, any beer with do the trick.)
Soda
Soda = Liquid Sugar. It serves as another form of nutritional value. Sugar feeds the microbes by providing them with carbohydrates. Soda selection is key, as diet or light alternatives are not made with natural sugar; therefore, they will not offer the same nutritional benefits. Stick to your favorite dark cola for the best results.
Dish soap
Prevents the nourishment from the beer and soda from being washed away. Soaps allows grass to absorb the nutrients. It is important not to utilize an antibacterial soap, as this will destroy the bacteria that helps your lawn to thrive. We know, after this recent pandemic, our homes have focused on antibacterial hand and dish soaps. You can simply substitute shampoo for the same sticking power.
Ammonia
Here is where the true chemistry kicks in! The ammonia provides your lawn with hydrogen and nitrogen, vital nutrients for a lush green lawn. This ingredient is helpful in the spring and during rainy seasons but should be avoided during long periods of drought.
Mouthwash
Acts a wonderful pesticide to help keep ward off the pesky bugs that kill lawns. These pests including white grubs, scarab beetles, and chafers that enjoy feasting on grass roots.