The Jerry Baker Lawn Tonic..

About twice a year I spray our lawn with a lawn tonic that was originated by Jerry Baker. It is a combination of liquid ingredients that accomplishes several great things for your yard. I am often asked for the recipe so I thought I would post it an everyone could have a beautiful lawn.

The ingredients are generally found at the local dollar store:

• One bottle of liquid dishwashing liquid (not anti-bacterial)


• One can of beer


• One can of regular cola (not diet)


• 1 cup of household ammonia


• 1 bottle of antiseptic mouthwash like Listerene (or store brand)


• 10 or so drops of hot sauce like Tobasco

Mix the ingredients in a bucket and apply to your lawn in some type of hose-end sprayer. The above amount should cover around 5000 square feet. Hose end sprayers vary, so you may have to move fairly quickly as not to run out.

Here is my understanding as to what these ingredients do:

• The dishwashing liquid breaks up the oily film on the surface of your lawn's soil. This allows water to reach the deeper grass roots for a healthier lawn. It will also allow the other things you do (like fertilize) to go deeper in the soil. Dishwashing soap is also distasteful to insects and critters.


• The yeast in the beer feeds on the sugar in the soda and helps to break down thatch.


• The ammonia is liquid nitrogen for a greening boost. (but don't overdo it)


• The mouthwash helps fight lawn diseases.


• The hot sauce is an insect and critter repellent.

I apply in the spring and fall and have had great results. The following picture is of our lawn.