- The concentration of nutrients in different varieties of molasses varies depending on how the raw materials were processed. Gardeners most often use blackstrap molasses, the result of three successive boilings, to enhance their fertilizer because it contains the densest concentration of nutrients, including iron, sulfur and potash, as well as micronutrients. Light, or first boiling, and dark, or second boiling, molasses are also available. Molasses is available in either sulphured or unsulphered, which does not have added sulpher dioxide.
- The carbohydrate-laden molasses, in both liquid and granular forms, provides a high-energy snack for microorganisms in the soil and acts as a chelating agent to make nutrients more accessible to both those beneficial microorganisms and plants. While feeding the good bugs in the soil, molasses also helps reduce the presence of parasitic nematodes that can stress your plants and stunt their growth. The nutrients derived from adding molasses to your fertilizer may also improve the taste of your homegrown vegetables.
- A molasses spray can help ward off some garden insects, such as fire ants and caterpillars. Add liquid molasses to your fertilizer mix or just combine a few tablespoons with a gallon of water and a couple drops of liquid dish soap and spray it over areas where you are experiencing problems with the pests. The fire ants or caterpillars will vacate the area. For coverage of a large problem area like an entire yard, use a granular version of molasses.
- Use molasses by itself or in combination with liquid fertilizer or other ingredients, like seaweed or alfalfa, to give your plants a boost and improve garden soil. Mix 1 to 3 tbsp. molasses with 1 gallon of liquid fertilizer, compost tea or water and apply it around your plants as either a spray or soil drench. Spraying a molasses mixture directly onto plants may deter pests while encouraging some beneficial insects, like ladybugs, lacewings and wasps, to visit your garden.
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