Q&A

DEAR NEW FARM:

How do I use corn gluten meal for weed control in strawberries?

William Sabel
Indiana

DEAR WILLIAM:

Corn gluten meal is a pre-emergent organic weed control applied to lawns in early spring that kills weeds before they have a chance to germinate. Corn gluten meal is also 10 percent nitrogen by dry weight, so takes care of about half your turf grass’s needs (leave your lawn clippings lay and that will finish the job).

Iowa state has done some experimenting with strawberry production and corn gluten meal (www.gluten.iastate.edu/mcdade.html), incorporating it into the soil just be before planting dormant crowns. Weeds were reportedly reduced with no detrimental effects to the growth and development of the strawberry plants.

NF

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