A perfectly green lawn, free of clumps, moss, and bare patches, is a dream for many gardeners across the country, especially during the bright spring weather we’ve enjoyed recently. However, preparing your lawn for the summer can be both challenging and expensive. Traditional methods often involve labor-intensive weeding or costly fertilizers. Now, gardening experts are recommending a simpler and more affordable solution: sprinkling sugar on your lawn.
According to gardening enthusiasts, sugar can effectively break down thatch, the dense layer of dead grass that clogs up lawns and inhibits growth. It also enriches the soil with nutrients and helps to suppress weeds. In essence, a bag of white sugar could be the key to transforming a struggling or yellowing lawn into a lush, green paradise just in time for summer.
Lindsey Hyland, founder of Urban Organic Yield, explains that weeds thrive in environments with sunlight and moisture. By using sugar on your lawn, you can make it less hospitable for these weeds. “Sugar helps break down thatch and other organic material that can accumulate over time,” she says. “This can improve the health of your lawn and make it easier for new grass to grow.”
Bill Glaser, owner of Outstanding Foods, which specializes in plant-based products, supports this method but advises caution. He suggests applying sugar only once a month, rather than more frequently. “Sugar allows the grass to overtake invasive plant species,” he explains. “Some sources recommend replacing harsh fertilizers with rice water for more consistent application.”
Tom Monson from Monson Lawn & Landscaping adds 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. “Sugar causes the grass’s roots to intake more nitrogen from the soil, which can boost your lawn’s greenness,” he says. “However, it can also promote fungal growth, so you’ll want to inspect your lawn regularly to ensure there is no excess fungal activity.”
For those interested in trying this method, experts recommend using around 450 grams of regular granulated white sugar per 10 square meters of lawn. This is the same type of sugar commonly found on supermarket shelves.
