Keep Gardens & Flower Beds Weed-Free Without The Use Of Harmful Chemicals

Ask nearly any gardener about their gardening nemesis, and you'll receive the same answer: weeds. The presence (and persistence) of weeds in your garden or flower beds can feel incredibly discouraging when all you want is to see the fruits of your labor in the form of healthy plants and beautiful flowers. When it comes time to consider your options for killing and preventing weeds, however, applying the harsh chemicals contained in popular weed killers might not appeal to you for reasons like environmental impact, personal health, or pet safety.

Fortunately, it is possible to maintain a weed-free garden without resorting to potentially harmful chemicals. There are now effective options — like corn gluten meal— for preventatively treating your garden and flower beds for weeds (and keeping weeds off your lawn) without having to resort to harsh products that contain concerning ingredients. Consider this your guide to utilizing corn gluten meal to achieve chemical-free weed management in all your flower beds and gardens now and in the future. 

Corn gluten meal — a byproduct of the wet corn milling process — is traditionally used as a protein supplement in livestock feed and pet food. During a study on turf grass diseases, it was used as a growth medium by an Iowa State University professor. The professor accidentally discovered that corn gluten meal inhibited the growth of germinating grass seeds. Eventually, he was granted a patent on the byproduct for use as a pre-emergent herbicide. Today, corn gluten meal is sold as such under several brand names.

The specific amino acids that make up the protein in corn gluten meal are to thank for its ability to stop the root growth of weeds before they can emerge. These acids kill the tiny root hairs that emerge from germinating seeds before they can develop into fully formed roots capable of absorbing water and nutrients. Interestingly, corn gluten meal is also rich in nitrogen, making it a helpful fertilizer for nitrogen-loving plants — like leafy green vegetables — as well as an effective natural pre-emergent weed suppressant. When combined with other nutrients, corn meal gluten can act as a combination weed preventer and plant food product, as seen in Preen Weed Preventer Plus Plant Food, currently available at Walmart for under $20.

The most important factor in the effectiveness of corn gluten meal as a pre-emergent weed preventative is timing of application. Applying corn gluten meal to weeds that have already emerged from the soil will not inhibit the growth of those weeds in any way. Corn gluten meal products must be applied to your garden or flower bed before the seed germination process begins. Since corn gluten meal is only effective at the seed stage, weeds that have already sprouted should be pulled by the root or killed with a natural weed killer, such as an Epsom salt and vinegar solution, before applying corn gluten meal. As long as the roots are removed, they can't grow back after application.

To apply, simply sprinkle the corn gluten meal powder or granules (depending on which product you've purchased) onto the surface of your soil and then use a hose or watering can to water the product in. Keep in mind that corn gluten meal will prevent all seeds from germinating — not just weed seeds. If you plant to direct-sow seeds in your garden, wait for them to sprout before applying your pre-emergent weed preventative product.