CORNMEAL
as Weed Killer?
Cornmeal is the latest natural weed
killer that has been making the rounds
on social media.
The prospect of being able to kill
weeds with a simple sprinkle
of cornmeal is exciting.
Most people find cornmeal to be
cheap and readily available, but the
real question is does it work?
What is Cornmeal
vs. Corn Gluten Meal?
The type of cornmeal that you eat
is not the same as what you need
for weed killing purposes.
The cornmeal in your pantry is made
from ground-up corn kernels.
This is what you use as an ingredient in
recipes for cornbread and other dishes.
The cornmeal in your pantry is made
from ground-up corn kernels.
This is what you use as an ingredient in
recipes for cornbread and other dishes.
Corn gluten meal is a byproduct that is created
during the wet milling process of making cornmeal.
It is not meant for humans to eat,
but it is sometimes used in pets and cattle feed.
Since corn gluten meal has high levels of protein, nitrogen, and oils,
it is also used for lawn fertilization and weed control purposes.
It is sold in lawn and gardening stores
rather than at your local grocery store.
How Do People Use Cornmeal
as a Weed Killer?
Corn gluten meal is found in both pellets and powdered forms.
The application process involves
spreading it in a specific amount that
is based upon how many square feet
of ground needs to be covered.
After distributing it evenly on the
ground, you then need to water the
lawn lightly to activate the oils.
If the application does work, it is only
effective for around 5 to 6 weeks.
Then, the meal must be reapplied.
Does It Work on All Weeds?
This method only works on weeds that
have not sprouted yet. People often use
it on annual weeds such as purslane.
Keep in mind that it will not work
on perennial weeds that have already
established a root system.
How Effective Is It?
The primary issue with this method is
the difficulty of applying it at just the
right time to knock out the weed seeds.
Weeds grow throughout the year
in Arizona. Even annual weeds may
occasionally pop up before you expect
them in the spring.
Once they do, this method is not
effective at all. It also requires
frequent reapplications.
Keeping up with this method can be
frustrating for busy property owners.
What Are My Other Options for
Dealing With Weed Problems?
Pre-emergent sprays work similarly
to corn gluten meal by suppressing
weed growth at the seed level, but it
is a little different.
A pre-emergent spray prevents seed
germination. The seeds never
develop roots or sprouts.
Even if you choose to experiment with
corn gluten meal, you can still expect to
need post-emergent weed spraying.
This method gets rid of weeds that are
already visible above the ground that
the meal cannot kill.
So what’s the verdict?
Corn gluten meal may help with
preventing weeds from emerging
from your lawn.
This only works if you are diligent about
following the proper application process
and okay with it not always working.
There are also more effective
methods for getting rid of those
unsightly plants.
Proper weed control involves a careful
plan that addresses the types of weeds
that appear in your lawn at every stage
of growth.
Custom Weed & Pest Control has
been in business since 1989, serving
the greater Phoenix metro area for
both residential and commercial.
We offer an affordable weed and pest
control package, with customized service
to meet your specific needs.