Gardening experts are now advising the sprinkling of sugar across lawns this spring and summer, as 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
The quest for the perfect lawn, free from big ugly clumps of moss and random bare patches is a dream many gardeners across the nation spend hours trying to achieve.
Yet, getting your grass ready for summer fun can prove both hard-work and pricey. You might end up wasting hours weeding by hand or splashing the cash on some costly fertilisers which never come cheap.
In light of this, gardening experts have begun to recommend a simple, cost-effective trick – sprinkling sugar on your turf during these spring and summer months. It’s an easy, wallet-friendly method that claims to transform even the most lacklustre, yellowing lawns into lush, green havens in time for summer barbecues. Gardeners can get their hands on a bag of sugar for as little as 89p at the supermarket.
Those with a passion for gardening suggest that scattering sugar on your lawn can efficiently break down thatch – the compacted layer of decaying vegetation that suffocates your lawn and stops it from growing. Not only does sugar enhance the nutritional value of your lawn, but it also helps deter those pesky weeds.
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Indeed, it appears that a plain packet of white sugar might just be the remedy for a distressed patch of grass. Lindsey Hyland, the founder of Urban Organic Yield, revealed: “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.”
A lawn care expert has claimed that sprinkling sugar on your grass can help encourage luscious growth by breaking down thatch that strangles new sprouts.
Bill Glaser, the manager at Outstanding Foods which focuses on plant-based goodies, has suggested the sweet technique but urges not too go over board, pointing out that once a month is plenty.
Revealing his secret he added: “[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.”
Tom Monson, of Monson Lawn and Landscaping, adds to the case for sugar but warns of the possibility of triggering some damaging fungal growth, particularly where lawns see little sunlight.
He provided further insight: “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.”
If you’re keen to give your grass a sugary treat, experts say tossing around 450g of standard granulated white sugar per 10 square metres—the same type you chuck in your tea—should do the trick.