About That Corn Gluten?
Forum Archives
cjmiller
Location: Oregon, Willamette Valley
Posted: Mar-10-2005 at 10:24am
My aim in killing weeds is to replace them with plants, shrubs' and flowers, so far I have not quite grasped the affect of using the corn gluten, It kills weeds, yes, but is it a "scorched earth policy" or can you expect flowers or shrubs to grow there after you use it? Will seeds sprout? Do you plant the seeds and then add the corn gluten?. Does it kill weeds that spread by the roots? Last year someone in the forums said that the second application is more effective than the first, but there was no indication of the time lapse between applications. I looked on the web briefly, but not all my questions were explained, but you can buy it on line!
Carol
tommyb
Location: Oregon, Willamette Valley
Posted: Mar-10-2005 at 1:42pm
As I applied the corn gluten yesterday for the first time, I am now an expert and can advise other users. (snicker, snicker) My web search revealed that a compound within the gluten inhibits the sprouting (or root formation or something) of existing seeds within the top three inches of your soil (if you mix the stuff into that three inches). In subsequent years an ongoing application will have fewer seeds to effect, since you had fewer sprout in the first year. As to how often to apply, I don't have a clue. I saw no warnings about use around plants, but I wasn't looking for interactions with "other seeds", I assume the gluten will stifle them as it does the weed seeds.
I'm crossing my fingers that the corn gluten will at least slow the weeds down in areas which I tilled to about ten inches this spring. I considered both Preen and Casoron (not sure how that's spelled), but both warned against use around fresh plantings. At least the corn gluton breaks down into nitrogen and whatever else. Plus, I like corn, it is the most American of foods to me.
We can both hope someone with real knowledge pipes up!
Tom
cjmiller
Location: Oregon, Willamette Valley
Posted: Mar-10-2005 at 8:48pm
I love 24 hr. experts. snicker snicker! I admire those who have the fortitude to stick to the e-search going after answers. and I totally agree that we both wait with baited breath for the real deep knowledgeable one!
Carol
Susie
Location: Washington, Southwestern
Posted: Mar-10-2005 at 9:15pm
Oh, I have some wisdom to add, but I'm not a expert! Maybe this will help?
The corn glutten will stop germinating seeds from growing further, be they weed seeds or seeds you sowed yourself. The corn glutten shouldn't do any harm to existing healthy plants, in fact it will add some nitrogen as it breaks down. So you'll be feeding your existing weeds.
You can buy corn glutten, as a yellow powder, in 50 lb bags at feed stores. I use a pint yogurt container to shake it around so there's a light layer over the soil and then I use a rake to scratch it into the top three inches of soil. Then I water it in a little bit, so the yellowness goes away. The bag will have better directions including how to use a spreader, but I found that it was too much work to use a spreader.
The Garden's Alive website sells WOW! products that contain corn glutten, and will give you a better idea of how the glutten works.
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-11-2005 at 9:54am
cj, did you do a forum search? we've disacussed tgis topic before and i recall the thread had good information.
gary
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posted: Mar-11-2005 at 10:28am
Dixondale Farms, a great supplier of onion transplants, sells a 10-20-10 weed and feed fertilizer with corn gluten as the "weed killer". The gluten is, of course, at less strength than a straight bag of CG. I've found that it controled weed germination for a good 6-8 weeks. By which time it was time to add some fert anyway.
Dixondale.com will give you some info and if you are going to do a large quantity of onions (or group purchase) there prices are very good. So good in fact that they maybe supplying your local nursery or catalog seller. Remember that we live in Long Day onion country if you decide to order from them. Their catalog has those details too.
Gary
bakingbarb
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Mar-11-2005 at 6:36pm
I thought according to gardens alive that the corn gluten also acts as a fertilizer for plants. If that is the case then it is safe to use around plants.
~BakingBarb
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
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