Killing Dandelions

BlueRidge · Jun 1, 2005

( Interesting thing about corn gluten. I will keep it in mind for weed control. If it is easier than 2-4D, I am all for it. )

Dunno if it's easier, but it's non-toxic and it works. Remember, it won't kill anything, but it stops them from sprouting.

( The article was a bit hesitant about this stuff being all figured-out yet. I'll do a search for more info. )

Typical sholarly restraint, which is commendable. But I used the stuff for several years before selling that house and becoming a nomad for a few years, and I'll be using it again now that I have a place of my own again. It's not magical, but it does a good job.

Oh, and that big dumb mutt lived quite a while after eating my corn gluten, and showed no ill effects. I tried some myself just to see what it tasted like (rather like sand) and there's nothing wrong with me... nothing wrong with me... nothing wrong with me... ERK!
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tomnky · Jun 1, 2005

Isn't Corn Gluten Meal a tad on the expensive side? Especially for larger areas? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BlueRidge · Jun 1, 2005

It just might be, Tom. I haven't bought any in years, and that was for a city lot, where the cost wouldn't be bad.

goodoleboy · Jun 2, 2005

I like the ideas of less herbicides but sometimes its diffucult to avoid. Does the Corn Gluten promote or attract mice or other rodents?

BlueRidge · Jun 2, 2005

Not as far as I know - we did have a rat problem at that house, but they were there before we started using the corn gluten, and I didn't notice any increase afterwards.

froggy · Jun 2, 2005

Mid-September is the right time to apply corn gluten meal as a natural weed-and-feed for the control of winter weeds such as poa annua, dandelions, rescue grass and clover. It won't hurt desirable plants unless you are trying to grow them from seed. Put it out at 20 lbs. per 1,000 square feet (just like a fertilizer application).

After the weeds are growing, you can kill them with vinegar-based mixtures. To 1 gallon of 10-percent-concentration vinegar add 1 ounce of orange oil and 1 teaspoon of liquid soap. Spray only the undesirable plants.

Boondox · Jun 2, 2005

( This year seems to be the year of the Dandelion in my yard . I'd like to kill them off , or at least discourage their growth a bit .
I also have a good bit of white clover that I don't want to kill .
Is their a treatment for dandelions that won't affect the clover ?
Thanks, John )

Sheep