Corn gluten

[Pouncer]

I just stumbled across this on another group-ok to cross post.
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It was discovered entirely by accident that corn gluten can also be used to
prevent weed seeds from germinating. Not only can it suppress weeds, but
it will also help feed your garden plants since it is also a source of nitrogen.
And corn gluten won't harm pets, people, birds or insects, making it very
safe to use.

Corn gluten works by preventing germinated seeds from growing a root.
A plant that has already grown roots will not be affected by corn gluten.
For the best results, the corn gluten should be applied early in the season,
before the weed seeds germinate and grow roots. As a pre-emergent
herbicide, corn gluten tends to have a cumulative effect and becomes even
more effective on weed seeds with repeated applications over time. One
application of corn gluten continues to suppress weeds for 4-6 weeks, a
bit less if the weather is unusually rainy or hot.

Corn gluten is typically applied by broadcasting it on the growing bed at
a rate of 20-40 pounds per 1000 square feet. It may then be lightly raked
into just the surface of the soil and watered in. Corn gluten will not be
effective unless it is wetted and should be given a gentle shower after
being applied. However, if there is a long rainy period after the corn
gluten has been applied, it may lose its effectiveness. As with any herbicide,
it can wash away, and weed seedlings may even recover and begin again to
form roots if the soil surface remains wet for an extended time. Keep an eye
on the weather and apply the corn gluten when no rain is expected for a few
days.
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Ok I never heard of this before.....if you treat your area, say a garden patch, wouldn't it prohibit your own seeds from coming up? Or is this just for those nuisance areas? Or?

[Ann Mary]

Gardens' ALIVE sells it ...an organic lawn/garden company. I've tried to find it locally and no one has heard of it...and they will order it for me for an exhorbitant price. Maybe someday it will get more popular here and the $ will come down.

[cssc]

No, your seeds wouldn't germinate. At least I seriously dont' think it knows the difference. You'd spread it on after your plants are established, but mulch is much more affordable. The weed seeds would still be there the next year, wouldn't they?

[Marcia in MT]

I've tried it, and it really does work. I only use it on transplants or seeds that have already grown a couple of inches, since it is a germination inhibitor.

As for locating it, try at the feed store or ag supply house. It's sold as cattle feed, although it is also labeled as an herbicide.

Keep checking locally, as we are buying it in large sacks from the ag supply place and breaking it down into smaller bags for resale. Others will be doing this also. My friend in Albuquerque says that the garden store that sells it there runs out within hours of bringing it in! They use it to prevent foxtail grass from growing.

[mistletoad]

We use it on transplant beds (onions, tomatoes, peppers) and on the asparagus and small fruits. It works well at preventing seed germination and is a good source of nitrogen, but it is expensive and smells like like a rotten carcas if moisture gets into the bag.

[Tricky Grama]

Just spread CGM on our lawn yesterday. Hopefully it's early enuf this year. Used to be if you spread it early March it wuld take care of the new weeds but we've had warm weather the last couple days so thought I'd try earlier.

If you go to www.dirtdoctor.com you'll find all sorts of natural, organic ways to fertilize, etc.

Patty