Sprinkling 85p item on your lawn can make it 'greener than ever' - but there's a catch

If you're looking for a way to improve the health of your lawn without using harsh chemicals, you might want to try sprinkling a simple ingredient on your grass - sugar

As autumn draws near, many lawns can start to look a bit worse for wear, but a common household item could be the key to giving them a new lease of life - sugar. For those looking for organic ways to tackle weeds or improve the health of their lawn, sprinkling sugar on the grass could be the answer.

A lush, green lawn is often the starting point for a beautiful garden, and one expert claims that sugar can play a role in achieving this. Lindsey Hyland, founder of Urban Organic Yield, said: "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 prevent new grass from growing, but using sugar can help break it down and improve the overall health of your lawn.

READ MORE: Drivers will have to pay more car tax in 2025 if they own these cars

Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here

However, Bill Glaser, CEO of Outstanding Foods, a plant-based food company, recommends using sugar in moderation. He advises: "Only use a sugar solution about once a month; some sources suggest replacing harsh fertilisers with rice water for more consistent application."

While sugar has its benefits for lawns, Tom Monson, owner of Monson Lawn and Landscaping, also urges caution, reports the Mirror. He revealed: "Sugar causes the grass' roots to intake more nitrogen from the soil, which can make your lawn grow greener than ever."

Nevertheless, he warns against using sugar if your property is situated in a wooded area. The specialist explained: "Sugar also promotes fungal growth, so you'll want to inspect your lawn and ensure you do not have excess fungal growth."

They recommended using a lawn spreader for an even sugar application on dry grass early in the morning. When it comes to selecting the right sugar for your lawn, granulated or powdered sugar is advised. You can purchase sugar at any supermarket, with granulated sugar available for 85p at Sainsbury's and 95p at Waitrose and Partners.

Tom noted that although sugar isn't a traditional fertiliser, it can enhance the vibrancy of your grass by serving as a carbon source that absorbs excess nitrogen, thereby improving soil balance. Lindsey highlighted another advantage of sprinkling sugar on your lawn, which is its ability to deter weeds, stating: "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."

Bill Glaser concurs with Lindsey's statement about sugar's effectiveness against weeds, clarifying that sugar doesn't directly kill weeds but encourages microbial life that enriches the soil and aids the grass in outcompeting invasive plants.

He remarked: "This allows the grass to overtake invasive plant species."