Question
I was wondering if putting sugar on a bermudagrass lawn would harm the bermudagrass or help it.  What should I do for areas where the grass tends to grow more sparsely?  I have a fairly large area like this.

Answer
Hi Robert;
Sugar doesn't hurt anything but your waistline, or if you are Diabetic.
What it does is nourish the beneficial microbes that renrich your soil.
Just make rich soil, and water and mow, and that burmuda will spread nicely.
You may have a fungus. That will keep grass out of an area, but you usually see them move all across a yard until they cover it all.
1 rounded Tablespoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of agricultural soap , per gallon of water, and sprayed on the area will kill fungus.
Your soil may have too much clay in those areas, and if that is the case, the organics will loosen it up over time.
Do you have thatch there?
That is a thick pad of dead grass clippings and other debris that has cought in roots that came close to the surface to get water, and died. That formas a thick waterproof pad, that will not let water soak into the soil to get to the roots.
Just rake that up with a garden rake. A lwan rake ( or lawn broom) is not sturdy enough to get that up.
I always water to a depth of at least 6 inches to establish a deep rooyt system. That prevents thatch.
If you use the organic remedies, you have to go all the way organic or not at all.
If you pout chemicals on the lawn, it will cancel out the benefits of the organics you use.
If you want more information about the organics progran, just write me anytime.
Charlotte