Gardeners urged to sprinkle sugar on their lawns - it's cheap and easy to do
Garden experts are now recommending people sprinkle sugar on their lawns this spring and summer as it's cheap, easy to do and can completely revitalise a patchy or yellow lawn
Achieving the quintessential, vibrant green lawn devoid of clumps, moss or bare patches is a coveted goal for countless gardeners throughout the nation, particularly during spells of radiant spring sunshine like the ones we've experienced this past month.
However, prepping your lawn for the summer season can be a challenging or costly endeavour – you might find yourself on hands and knees weeding, or shelling out for expensive fertilisers. This is why gardening gurus are now advising the sprinkling of sugar across lawns this spring and summer. It's an affordable, straightforward solution that can utterly transform a lacklustre or yellowing lawn into a dense, green paradise just in time for summer.
Gardening aficionados assert that sugar on your lawn can effectively decompose thatch – those dense, dead grass layers that clog up your lawn and inhibit grass growth. Sugar also boosts the nutrient content of your grass and wards off weeds.
In essence, a humble bag of white sugar could be the panacea for a struggling lawn, reports the Express. Lindsey Hyland, the brains behind Urban Organic Yield, said: "Weeds tend to thrive in environments with access to sunlight and moisture, and by using sugar on your lawn, you can make it less hospitable for these weeds.
"Sugar will help break down thatch, the layer of dead grass, and other organic material that can accumulate on your lawn over time.
"This thatch can make it difficult for new grass to grow, but using sugar on your lawn can help break it down and improve the health of your lawn."
Bill Glaser, the owner of Outstanding Foods which specialises in plant-based products, supports this method but advises to use sugar with caution - suggesting a monthly application rather than a frequent one.
He explained: "[Sugar] allows the grass to overtake invasive plant species. Only use a sugar solution about once a month; some sources suggest replacing harsh fertilisers with rice water for more consistent application."
Adding to the conversation, Tom Monson from Monson Lawn & Landscaping points out that while sugar can enhance the root system of grass, it's important to be mindful of potential fungal growth, especially in lawns with limited sunlight exposure.
He elaborated: "Sugar causes the grass's roots to intake more nitrogen from the soil, which can boost your lawn's greenness. Sugar also promotes fungal growth, so you'll want to inspect your lawn and ensure you do not have excess fungal growth."
For those considering sweetening their turf, around 450g of regular granulated white sugar per 10 square metres is recommended – the same variety found on supermarket shelves.
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