Gardening Gold

I use corn gluten for pre-emergence control of crabgrass and dandelions and other weeds. After approximately 3-4 years, I now have about 85-90% control of my weeds.

The corn gluten is applied right around the time that lilacs are budding out, typically April to May, depending on your zone. I apply it using a Scotts drop feeder at a setting of 7.5 (about 20 pounds per 1000sq); the corn gluten provides about 8-10% nitrogen. Additionally, I will make an application in August and late September.

It will not kill existing weeds. Instead, it acts as a pre-emergent. Lightly water it. Sometimes it will smell like fermentation for beer (some may like the smell!).

If you are counting on volunteers in your garden, be careful as the pre-emergence function works very well.

Corn gluten is a by-product of corn milling and shows no health risk to animals and humans. I get it from my feed store.