Using Sugar as a Lawn Amendment: Rate and Benefits

Apply plain white sugar at 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet (about 1 lb per 250 sq ft). Sugar feeds beneficial soil microbes that improve soil structure, nutrient cycling, and weed suppression. It works in any soil type, including sandy Gulf Coast soils. Apply in spring and fall, water in well. Complement with deep watering (6+ inches) and organic additions like lava sand or alfalfa meal for extra nutrients. Avoid synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which kill the microbes you’re cultivating.