What Are the Benefits of Using Corn Meal Gluten on the Lawn?
A natural pre-emergence herbicide, corn gluten meal, or CGM, is used on lawns and turf to control weed seed germination. It is a byproduct produced during the corn milling process that is safe and nontoxic. Using corn gluten meal for your lawn controls weeds and provides several other benefits. Does this Spark an idea?
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Easy Application
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Available as pellets or in powder form, CGM is easy to apply using a spreader or manually. Apply at a rate of 20 lbs. of corn gluten per 1,000 square feet. Water is necessary to activate the proteins and it remains effective for about six weeks. Application it at least twice each year, first in late April or early May before seeds begin to sprout, and again in mid-August for controlling winter annuals, such as chickweed and shepherd's purse, which sprout in the fall.
Safe
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Children and pets can be present while applying corn gluten meal and in contact with your lawn immediately after because it is s nontoxic product that is also used in food products, such as taco shells and pet food. It is also safe in flower and vegetable gardens, but not until seedlings emerge and are growing, as corn gluten meal is not selective and prevents all plant seeds from germinating.
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Effective Weed Control
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CGM contains 60 percent plant proteins that prevent root growth when seeds begin to germinate, resulting in plant death. If the soil dries out soon after germination, the proteins' effectiveness increases because root system regrowth is also prevented. It is not effective against existing weeds, but ensures that seeds produced later do not grow. Perennial weeds return each year, as their roots are not affected, but the amount of weeds does not increase and seed germination stops. Weed control with CGM is slow. During the first year, you won't see a reduction in existing weeds but each consecutive year of use shows more weed control than the previous year, as plants die out and seed germination is prevented. This is because with each year there are fewer seeds in the soil to germinate.
Fertilizer
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In addition to weed control, corn gluten meal also fertilizes the lawn because it contains nitrogen, one of the three main nutrients that your lawn needs to grow thick and healthy. Thicker, more rapid growth helps exclude weeds and overuse doesn't result in burns to your lawn, as do synthetic fertilizers.
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References
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