Crabgrass

[poorboy]

Miked, all I know about corn gluten is that it is used as feed for livestock around here and currently around 100 dollars a ton if bought in bulk. Usually available at a local feed store.

Patrick

 

[MLB]

The corn gluten only works to prevent seed from germinating.It does nothing for already existing weeds. That said it is a wonderful discovery, more so for flower beds and gardens, no spring weeds growing everywhere.
Crabgrass can be eliminated culturely by mowing HIGH (NOT short!). 3" turf will shade out germinating weed seeds and usually reduce crabgrass to insignificant by the 2nd year. (as with the CG the idea is to stop the crabgrass seed from germinating in the spring, just like chemical pre-emergent herbicides."

 

[Anonymous Poster]

To answer your question about herbicides, NO. I would say it is not possible to eliminate grassy type weeds without using herbicides. I would resist the trendy movement of not using "dangerous chemicals". We wouldn't have food if it weren't for herbicides. Everyone seems to be looking for a new miracle cure for everything. Insecticidal soap is a joke! Insects laugh at it! MSMA is the only answer as I have stated before on this website. Good Luck! BUSBOY

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I've seen great photos of swaths of turf with stripes of weedy areas and swaths of weed free areas. Iowa State U was trying to test corn gluten as a fertilizer and found that it was not effective for that purpose, but the unintended consequence of the application was elimination of weeds. It is not 100% and takes time, but your health and the environment will thank you.

No chlorinated hydrocarbons for me thanks....

DavidB
University of Washington Medical Center

 

[EddieWalker]

I was successfull eliminating crabgrass on a house I was working on using roundup for crabgrass and killing everything. I used an edging around the entire area to keep out the neighbors crabgrass then amended the soil for the new lawn. This was about 4 years ago and when I last saw the house about 1 year ago it was still crabgrass free.

I've never heard of anyone useing safe chemicals that worked. The more toxic the better.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Iowa State U was trying to test corn gluten as a fertilizer and found that it was not effective for that purpose, but the unintended consequence of the application was elimination of weeds. It is not 100% and takes time, but your health and the environment will thank you.)</font>

Corn Gluten Meal inhibits germination of seeds...any seeds, including weeds and grass seed. I applied it for the first time this year and there is a noticable decrease in weeds like dandilons on our lawn from prior years. I just mixed it in with the organic fertilizer and pelletized lime I spread in the early spring. While I don't remember the specific cost for the 50 lb bag I bought at Agway, it was very reasonable...and available.