Question
we just move into a house that has
centipede grass and want to start a
garden
tilled the soil added a 1/4 of sugar
to a cup of warm water and was thinking
of adding regular doses of baking soda
to prevent weed
as the area is near the house and we live
down south my consern is fire ants


Answer
Hi Laura;
You need to put more sugar.
I use 1 pound per 250-300sq.ft.
I just broadcast it on, by hand, and water it in well.
The sugar is not going to draw ants, because you water it in, but to keep fire ants out of your yard, Chop fresh orange peels and scatter them on the yard. If you have a fire ant bed, drop a handful right on the bed.
The effective ingredient in the effective fire ant killers and repellants is orange oil. The oil is in the peels.
I buy a big bag of oranges and have all the grandkids over to peel and eat oranges, and I chop the peels, and they help scatter them. We do this in early spring when the fire ants are swarming, or about to swarm. Every time I peel an orange, I chop the peels and scatter them. I have a sort of grid worked out so new chopped peels get on each area about once a month. I never see fire ants in my yard, but I see them in my neighbors
yards.
I dtopped a handful of peels right on a bed, when I first heard about it, and that afternoon, that bed was abandoned. I don't know if they fied or just left, but they were gone.
I chop the peels small enough that they sift down berween the blades of grass, and doesn't look like your yard is a garbage dump.
For the baking soda. I disolve a small box of it in my 2 gallon garden sprayer and spray everything that is susceptable to mold or powdery mildew, in early spring and again after heavy rains. After the weather heats up, the things that get enough sun aren't bothered with these things anymore.
I used to have to use the fungicide every month. Be sure and coat the top and underneath of the leaves well.
For sugar, I only use Imperial for my table and cooking, because it is better, but for the yard, I buy the cheapest brand they have, and load up when it is on sale.
Remember though, sugar does NOT kill or prevent weeds. It keeps the beneficial microbes alive, and they enrich the soil. the rich soil is what prevents the weeds.
Charlotte