Should I use sugar on my St. Augustine Lawn?
November 5th, 2009 | by admin |I live in North Florida and I have St. Augustine (Floratam) grass that is not too healthy and is full of weeds. I would like to have a healthy weed free lawn without using pesticides, herbicides, or anything else that could be harmful to my family. I read somewhere that spreading sugar on my lawn will solve my lawn problems and provide for a healthy looking lawn. Does this really work? Has anyone tried this and had success? Thanks.
Have your lawn professionally done. Ask them how you can keep the lawn healthy and pretty from then on.
A lawn is a lot of work and you have to be consistent. Water at the same time on the same day each week. Thirty minutes to one hour per each section. Have an automatic sprinkler system put in if you are not the type to keep up a good watering schedule.
Mow on the same day each week.
Fertilize and water it in when it is time to fertilize.
6 Responses to “Should I use sugar on my St. Augustine Lawn?”
By Brian A on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
If only it were that easy. Sugar does not have any nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, or any other trace minerals that your lawn needs.
References :
By Lisa S on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
OMG NO! You would have ants everywhere. I have heard that spraying dishsoap keeps bugs away.
References :
By Joanne A. W on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
Have your lawn professionally done. Ask them how you can keep the lawn healthy and pretty from then on.
A lawn is a lot of work and you have to be consistent. Water at the same time on the same day each week. Thirty minutes to one hour per each section. Have an automatic sprinkler system put in if you are not the type to keep up a good watering schedule.
Mow on the same day each week.
Fertilize and water it in when it is time to fertilize.
References :
By paigespirate on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
Sugar will attract biting ants.
The quickest method is to use a good weednfeed in spring and fall, but if u really desire to do it pest/herbicide free, there are ways but it is work related.
For a totally pesticide/herbicide free lawn that has existing problems, start w/ weed removal. Industrial strength vinegar kills in about an hour and is safe, organic garden shops in town or online have it under several brand names, as well as other safe herbicides. Mow slightly higher than most would, it is the uniformity that looks good, not the height. Try some good, physical removal of weeds and keep it mowed, most weeds have a vertical growth and grasses, esp, st. augustine, has a horizontal growth, so u will encourage horizontal growth by mowing. Never cut more than 1/3 of the grass blade length at any one time. Mowing an inch higher than is common, will encourage moisture conservation, also a hardship on most lawns.
U definately need to fertilize. If you go the route of manures, spread lime before, it will sweeten the soil and help break down the natural fertilizers quickly. Most organics are pretty expensive, unless u go straight to the farm and gather dryed manure. It is best if gotten from stall areas where hay is mixed in, but never where grain was eaten, u will wind up w/ a crop of oats. Rabbit pellets are also great, but a very little goes a long way and it has to be composted or u will stand a chance of burning w/ excess nitrogen. Spread it very thinly and water often. Any burn spots will quickly disappear and u won’t have oat problems. Keep weeds down by hand weeding and/or organic sprays. U will have to be aware of seasonal weeds, so as u finish w/ dollar weeds, winter clover may appear.
Roundup is pretty safe and will dissapate in 24 hours. it will leave a dead spot where the weed was, but that will go away very quickly in a fast growing lawn. spray very close to the weed and avoid wind or overspray, even the fine mist of most overspray will kill surrounding grass.
weed and feed done a couple of times will get you off to a great start and then u can leave it alone for a few years.
References :
By catherine s on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
I heard that you put sugar on a plant or weed you don’t want. Sounds like this will kill the lawn too.
References :
I have lots of beautiful kentucky bluegrass
By Grain And Grit on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
Actually not sugar, but black strap molasses. 2 Tablespoons per gallon of water and spread over lawn. You can also thin this out a bit with water and put into a hose end spreader.
Molasses has several essential micro and macro nutrients and can help lawns in several ways. It contains iron, beneficial bacteria and sugars (Carbohydrate source for the plants).
But also follow up with a good organic fertilizer at the same time. Most organics take longer to break down and feed the plant and soil over long periods of time. A professional landscape supply company or up scale nursery can point you in the direction.
Below is a link to University of Florida, they have several great publications and books available for Florida Lawns.
References :
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/LH010
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/index.html