DIY Lawn Fertilizers: Homemade Recipes Using Household Items

Commercial fertilizers can be costly and risky if overapplied. Several common household products can boost lawn health naturally and inexpensively.

Key Ingredients & Their Roles

• Beer: Feeds soil microbes and grass with nutrients.
• Regular soda (not diet): Sugar feeds beneficial microbes.
• Dish soap or shampoo (non-antibacterial): Acts as a surfactant, helping soil absorb nutrients. Antibacterial soap kills helpful microbes.
• Ammonia: Supplies nitrogen (hydrogen + nitrogen).
• Mouthwash: Mild pesticide that doesn't harm plants.

Simple Recipes (Mix & Apply)

Recipe 1 — Full Boost

• 1 can beer
• 1 can regular soda
• ½ cup dish soap (non-antibacterial)
• ½ cup ammonia
• ½ cup mouthwash
• 10 gallons water

Recipe 2 — Gentle Formula

• 1 can beer
• 1 can regular soda
• 1 cup baby shampoo
• 10 gallons water

Recipe 3 — Epsom Salt Mix

• 16 tbsp Epsom salts
• 8 oz ammonia
• 8 oz water

Recipe 4 — Tomato Juice Blend

• 1 can tomato juice
• ½ cup fabric softener
• 2 cups water
• ½ cup orange juice (approx.)

Apply any mixture every 1–2 weeks. Caution: Overuse causes nutrient buildup and lawn damage. Test on a small area first.