How to Use Corn Gluten Meal Weed Control Products on Lawns and Flower Beds
The use of Corn Gluten Meal weed control products have been studied for years. Corn Gluten Meal will work for crabgrass control as well as other annual weeds. By timing the application and amount of Corn Gluten Meal used, the sprouting of annual weed seeds can be prevented and it will also promote the healthy growth of lawn grasses. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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First learn what Corn Gluten Meal weed control products are and how they work. Corn Gluten Meal is a starchy part of the corn kernel, it is what is left after the corn is processed to produce regular corn starch and corn syrup, and is sold as a fine yellow grit or as a pellets. It is not in the corn starch, corn meal, or corn flour, sold by grocery stores. It is a totally organic herbicide that's non toxic to animals and won't kill established plants. In fact it is used as a filler in pet foods and in livestock feeds. It kills sprouting seeds by keeping them from developing a good root system. Because of this it is classified as a pre-emergent herbicide that will only control weeds when they are sprouting. It will not harm any perennial or established plants in flower beds or vegetable gardens. Timing is important for weed control using corn gluten meal, as it must be applied just before or right when the annual weed seeds are germinating. This is usually in the early spring for warm season weeds and again in the fall for winter weeds. Find out from local nurserymen or county extension agencies when the right time for application would be in a particular area. When looking for a corn gluten meal weed control products do an internet search to read up on the different organic herbicides containing corn gluten meal. There are several available in the stores, such as Preen and some Scot yard products, and there are many others for sale on internet sites. Some contain additives such as other plant nutrients and there is even a concentrate that can be sprayed on the lawn. Some corn gluten meal products are Earth Friendly, Gluten-8(a spray-on product), Safeway, Green Sense, Suppressa, and Weedz STOP.
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Apply the weed control product correctly and at the right time to control particular weed problems. Apply corn gluten meal weed control products using a spreader at a rate of approximately 20 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. or follow the rate given by the manufacturer. For the best effect it should be applied right before a dry period so the weed seedlings are stressed. If the soil is not wet then water the weed control product in after spreading and allow the area to dry. For crabgrass control a good sign for when to treat the lawn is when the daffodils, forsythia, or azaleas are blooming. Corn gluten meal can also be use in gardens and flower beds to control weeds. Just use it after any desireable seeds have sprouted and have their true leaves or in areas where transplants are to be set out. Wait some 2 to 3 weeks before reseeding areas treated with these weed control products. Corn Gluten Meal can be considered the ultimate weed and feed product.
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Check that any product being used is labeled as a Corn Gluten meal herbicide and is sold by licensed dealers as it is a patented product. Corn gluten meal will also act as a fertilizer for lawns and gardens as it is a good source of nitrogen. It will not burn plant roots as commercial fertilizers can or pollute the water table through surface runoff. It is a safe nontoxic herbicide to use around pets and children. It can be used up to the day of harvest in vegetable gardens. Check with Iowa State University for a list of licensed suppliers and product names. One possible problem is that some people who are allergic to corn, may be sensitive to corn gluten meal and have adverse reactions to it.
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Check lawns and gardens for any of the following weeds as corn gluten meal has been shown to control them in University tests: Crabgrass. dandelion, redweed, purslane, creeping bentgrass, lambsquarter, bermuda grass, barnyard grass, smart weed, foxtail, plantain, pigweed, bedstraw, curly dock, and quack grass. Because not all the seeds will sprout at the same time and because the CGM loses its effectiveness after some 2 to 3 weeks, repeated applications are necessary. The number of weeds will decrease and the lawn grasses will get stronger each year by following a spring and fall treatment schedule. Depending on how weedy the lawn is, and how much bare ground the grass needs to get re-established in, it may take several years to control weeds completely.
Under resources below there are links to other weed control articles. Please rate this article and any others you check out, thank you.
All contents and photos copyrighted by Aupoet.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't put out new grass seed after spreading CGM. Wait two to three weeks and then seed the lawn. Sod can be put out right away though.
Read all label warnings and instructions before using any herbicide.
