Controlling Crabgrass with Corn Gluten Meal (CGM)
- What is Corn Gluten Meal (CGM)?
CGM is a by-product in the production of corn-starch. It is a granular
solid that can be dispersed using common fertilizer spreaders. It is
completely organic and biodegradable. In fact, it is 10% Nitrogen, which
means it is an excellent fertilizer, competitive with many commercial
fertilizers.
- CGM is a fertilizer! NPK = 10-0-0
Since CGM is 10% Nitrogen, you are also applying 3lbs./ft2 of Nitrogen
to your lawn, very competitive with most commercial fertilizers. It
is also a slow release form of Nitrogen that will ensure that your lawn
receives nutrients just fast enough for the plants to absorb them.
- How does CGM work?
Research at the University
of Iowa showed that when CGM is applied to your lawn and watered
in, it releases a protein into the soil that inhibits the root formation
of newly germinating plants. It is ineffective against fully rooted
plants. Do not attempt seeding grass prior to or after CGM application,
it will inhibit any germination. CGM has been shown to eliminate 85-90%
of annual weeds after two years of use.
- How long is it effective?
Generally, it is most effective for 6 weeks following application and
should be applied twice, consecutively. After waiting 6 weeks following
application, new grass seed can be sown and germinated.
- How/when to apply?
CGM must be applied before any germination takes place, usually prior
to the soil temperature reaching 60 F. Apply 30 lbs/1000 square ft.
and then water in immediately to ½ inch depth. Apply again 6
weeks later for optimum results. A great indicator of when to
apply CGM is to watch for the Forsythia budding
and blooming. Forsythia is a shrub commonly observed in Kingston
that starts the year with a bright yellow blossom in mid-April to early
May.
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