At some point in my life, I read a blurb about adding sugar to poor soil, as it supposedly increases microbial activity and improves the soil itself. Here in the high desert, the soil definitely needs to be amended with planting mix, and I also use composted steer manure as mulch, being careful to not let it touch the tree trunks or burn the roots. Before I water the saplings today, I think I'll sprinkle a little sugar round the base of each tree... I have some sugar left over from making sugar water for the hummingbird feeders. Whaddy'all think of this? Seems to make sense on a microbial level, and as long as I dissolve the sugar while watering, it shouldn't draw any bugs, right? I don't care about a few bugs here and there, as long as they're not eating my fruit trees, lol. I'm just wondering if this sugar tip was total BS, or if it's actually worth doing on a small scale in my yard. I should add that the saplings are doing pretty well, they look healthy and there's new growth all over 'em. And I'm only talking about a cup or two of sugar left in this bag (got another bag waiting in the cupboard for future replenishment of hummingbird feeders). The hummingbirds have flowers and pine blossoms (?) here as well, and sugar is not something I use frequently in the kitchen... maybe a little in pasta sauce, lol. Anyway, I'm just wondering what y'all think about this tip I heard way back when... I only intend to add sugar to the soil, NOT to the leaves or branches of the trees. Comments or advice?