Corn Meal and Corn Gluten Meal

When treating your yard with corn meal, it’s important to use the right product. Corn meal and corn gluten meal (CGM) originate from whole kernels of corn, but they’re used for very different purposes. The corn meal you use as a coating for food is ground up corn, while corn gluten meal is a byproduct of this process. Although the two can sometimes look very similar depending on the milling process, you cannot substitute corn meal for corn gluten meal as a lawn treatment because corn meal used in food preparation will not suppress weeds.

Cornmeal Gluten Application

Corn gluten meal is available at most greenhouses and garden centers in pelletized or powdered forms. Powders and pellets are equally effective at suppressing weeds, but the pelletized form is usually easier to handle and apply. To apply corn gluten meal as a yard treatment, spread it evenly over the lawn at a rate of 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet. After applying, water your lawn lightly to activate the oils in the corn gluten meal that suppress weed growth.