Question
I am a new organic gardener and have just learned about sugar in the lawn to kill weeds.  I am wondering if i can put sugar in my flower beds to kill weeds.

Answer
Sally:

I would say to try the idea.  It can do no harm, as far as I know.  I am not practiced in the use of sugar, but read that some officianados believe in it.

After more than thirty years of organic gardening, landscaping and farming, I have chosen mechanical removal as my method.  I use a hoe in the garden, hands and cultural practices in the landscape, and tillage in the field.  Consistent removal of weeds for the most part, will discourage their return over the years.  After three years, I see, generally, a reduction of 75 % return.  Less after that.

With persistent, perennial weeds, like creeping jenny, wire grass, Johnson grass, wild chrysanthemum, I will hybridize the culture and use chemicals once or twice to gain control.  A field lost to one of these is useless.

Hope this helps.  Best wishes.