Benefits of Molasses for Plants -
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| This 16oz bottle of unsulphured molasses will last for a couple months. Costing only seven dollars, it's a deal! |
- Carbohydrates - Since molasses is the raw juice obtained from the sugar refining process, it's naturally loaded with carbohydrates (aka sugars). These carbohydrates are a great instant food source for beneficial soil microbes. With regular feedings of molasses, soils are able to support larger and more efficient populations of important, nutrient cycling, microbes. With more efficient microbes, there are more nutrients available for plant uptake.
- Trace Minerals - Besides sugars, unsulphured blackstrap molasses contains a great deal of trace minerals that are essential for plant growth. Natural sulphur, iron, potassium and calcium is supplied in small amounts to keep plants thriving.
- Chelating Agent - Some nutrients become "locked" in the soil as forms that plants aren't able to uptake. It doesn't mean that they can't be eventually consumed, it just means that something must come along and bind with it to create a form in which it's available for plant roots. The process of this binding is called chelation, and it just so happens to be that molasses a great chelating agent. When added to soils, molasses will naturally "unlock" some nutrients for additional plant uptake.
Unsulphured Blackstrap Molasses -
Though there are a variety of grades of molasses, this raw and purest form is the favorite among gardeners! The reason is that this type has not been refined and contains the maximum nutritional value for garden plants and microbes. Of course, I will always recommend buying an organic molasses, but the choice is yours. You can find molasses with the syrup at your local supermarket.
How to Water with Molasses -
Molasses is super thick, and if you've ever tried, you'll find that it takes a bit of effort to get it to dissolve completely into room temperature water. Luckily, there's a way to bypass this extra work!
- In the microwave, bring one cup of water to a boil, then remove and let cool for a couple of minutes.
- To the cup of warm water, add one tablespoon of molasses for every gallon of water that you plan to feed with. Since the water is warm, the molasses should easily dissolve into a dark looking tea.
- Fill your watering container with the desired amount of dechlorinated water and then add the cup of molasses solution.
- Now, water your plants as normal.
- Feed with molasses once a week for best results.