Corn gluten meal, the by-product of corn processing, contains proteins that inhibit root growth during seed germination for a number of small-seeded annual and perennial weeds that frequent our lawns, including crabgrass and pigweed. Not only does this product offer a natural herbicidal alternative to toxic “weed and feed” lawn products, but it, also, contains a significant amount of nitrogen that our full-grown turf grass loves.

Applying corn gluten to established weeds, however, will only help them flourish. Corn gluten is most effective when it attacks a weed just before germination or sprouting. Generally, weed germination, specifically for crabgrass, occurs in April and we recommend applying corn gluten in the first few weeks of the month or when forsythias begin to bloom. If you wish to take a more deliberate approach to weed evasion, we recommend purchasing a soil thermometer that reaches at least four inches deep and acting once the soil temperature hits 50 degrees. Once you decide to apply, check the weather forecast and pick a time when it will not likely rain over the next few days. Wet the corn gluten with a soft spray and you are ready to start suppressing weeds!