How to Use Sugar for Weed Control

Weed control can be a dangerous business when you've got pets and kids, especially if you use a chemical repellent. There are a number of safe and organic ways to control the weeds in your garden and around your home, and one of those methods is using sugar. While this method is only a short-term solution to controlling weeds, it can be used repeatedly without depositing harmful chemicals into your soil.

Things You'll Need

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup chilli powder

Instructions

1. Pour approximately 1/2-cup of sugar around the base of the weed you want to get rid of. Make sure you surround the plant base completely.

2. Mix 1/2-cup of chili powder with 1/2-cup of sugar to keep pests like ants and beetles away.

3. Watch for signs that the soil around the weed is becoming inhabitable for the weeds. Weeds thrive on nitrate-rich soil, and adding sugar to the soil temporarily reduces the soil's nitrate levels.

4. Tug weeds out of the ground once they begin to wilt and die. Make sure you pull up the roots to keep the weeds from regrowing once the nitrate levels in the soil even out.

5. Reapply sugar as needed to the soil to continue practicing safe, organic weed control.

References

• The Organic Gardener
• Gardening Know How
• Charles Sturt University