Garden Question - Ask Extension
There is a recommendation I read online that is supposed to stimulate bacteria and beneficial fungal growth in the garden. It consists of 2 cans of be...
Knowledgebase
Garden Question #894979
Asked March 20, 2025, 2:41 PM EDT
There is a recommendation I read online that is supposed to stimulate bacteria and beneficial fungal growth in the garden. It consists of 2 cans of beer, 2 multivitamins, 2 aspirins, then "pee in the hole after waiting an hour." Is there peer-reviewed literature to support this?
Clackamas County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank you for your question. I can find no research indicating that this will benefit anything except the manufacturers of the products.
If you find the recommendation by Dr. Internet, please reply with the link. If has a ":com" domain, it is most likely unsupported by science.
If you find the recommendation by Dr. Internet, please reply with the link. If has a ":com" domain, it is most likely unsupported by science.
In the link, scroll down to the calcium paragraph for the original quote. It's from John P. Taberna, who I think owns Western Labs soil testing company in Idaho.
It's in the calcium paragraph in the link below. I think John Taberna is the owner of Western Labs, a soil testing company. It seems odd that a soil scientist would give a recommendation that is not rooted in science. I'm not a soil expert, but the "Secret Formula" he recommends doesn't make sense.
On Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 02:27:39 PM PDT, Ask Extension wrote:
Thanks for the link! I showed it to my husband, who laughed until he cried, and commented that it "has to be from an old Texas farmer" (which Mr. Taberna isn't). I think it's just inserted for its humor--and not to be applied!
I wasn't sure if John Taberna was serious or not. I assume he has a Ph.D., in soil physics or a related field. Of course, Ph.D. can stand for Pile it High and Deep though. :)
On Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 12:54:40 PM PDT, Ask Extension wrote:
I analyzed each of the "recommended" ingredients, and none of them are known to be helpful for anything but discouraging pests (urine) And only when "leaked" over areas where sensitive animals traverse, and effective only for short periods without rain. I hope others are as discerning as you!
