A Tablespoon of Sugar in the planting hole can do wonders for the plant! Don’t believe us? Keep reading!
A tablespoon of sugar is quite a common thing in the kitchen or dining table, but what if we tell you that having it handy in the garden can be beneficial for your green friends?
What Happens When You Add Sugar to the Planting Hole?
Adding sugar to the planting hole boosts microbial growth, benefiting the plants in the long run. However, moderation is the key, as its excess can jeopardize the health of both, the growing medium and plant.
Sugar Boosts the Microbial Activity in the Soil
It is important that the growing medium must be rich with soil microbes before you use sugar as these microbial nutrients transformations are key drivers of plant growth.
According to this study, amending the soil with sugar can encourage microbial biomass, cultural bacteria, and carbon mineralization.
What this does is – it enhance the microbial activity in the growing medium, which can be beneficial for the development of roots, stems, leaves while enhancing the energy flow.
Just add 1 to 2 tablespoons of sugar to the planting hole at the time of planting to help it benefit in the long term.
Note: Try it on a couple of plants before doing this experiment extensively to observe how it helps!
Some Claims That May or May Not Be a Myth
1. Have Sweeter Tomatoes
Adding sugar may produce sweeter tomatoes by increasing bacterial activity and making the soil rich. However, do make sure not to put more than 2 tablespoons in one planting hole.
2. Enjoy Sweeter Melons
A gardener tried this hack by putting 2 tablespoons of sugar in the planting hole and as a foliar spray on half the crop and nothing on the other half. After the harvest, fruits were sweeter!
Note: Mix 2 teaspoons of sugar in a liter of water and pour it into the planting hole.
Avoid this If…
If there are ants in your garden, then completely avoid using sugar, as it will result in a severe ant infestation, which can cause damage to the roots of crops.
