When is it time for spring Corn Gluten Meal?

[TheFied]

It's almost February. When should we be putting down some CGM for prevention of spring weeds? I normally do it in Feb. but can't remember if late or early Feb.

 

[14tokihorn]

Since I missed applying in the fall, and THEREs NO RAIN IN AUSTIN..... If we get a shower, I'll put it down then.
... think I'll put it down this Weekend - it rained/sleeted a little the other night.

Basically wait for the 1st rain , then do it afterward. IIRC, the soil needs to have moisture for the stuff to work on sprouting weed seeds.

 

[Ignatius]

I need to add about a half inch of soil to about 1/3 of my 'side' yard for low spots/bare patches, would you do this before or after the gluten meal?

 

[taco]

^
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I think I would lay the compost then the CGM

 

[bozo_casanova]

Fied, this year I'm going to do it right before the first rain after Feb 10.

 

[TheFied]

Ok, so after Feb. 10, the day before the genius weather forecasters predict rain.

Do you water yours immediately afterward or hope that it rains so you don't have to?

 

[14tokihorn]

3 things here:

-Weed seeds
-Rain/human watering
- CGM.

The seeds will begin to germinate, usually after the soil surface receives water (Aus.?, yeah right!)
CGM works by drying out the ongoing germinating seeds thereby disrupting/cutting the weed sprouts, so they die.
So, no don't water after laying on the CGM... damp soil prior to laying it out is what you want... to only capture the germination process.

 

[TheFied]

Getting some CGM this week. Planning on putting it down this weekend.

 

[Aces_Full]

Me too. I've never done this before. Do I need some kind of spreader? Or can I just do it by hand?

 

[ballrific]

me three. a standard spreader is fine..

 

[TheFied]

I buy the stuff at Lowe's (Prevention Plus?) made by some Aggies at Iowa State.

ANyway, the stuff from Lowe's is more like a pellet similar to fertilizer and honestly it really is (8-2-4 ratio). You can put use a spreader like you normally do.

I bought a bag of CGM at the Natural Gardener and it is very powdery there. I used a spreader but it was harder to do and my legs were caked in yellow powder. I hosed myself off nekkid in my backyard before going inside.

 

[Brak]

Keep in mind that most spring weeds germinate late fall and early winter. Applying a pre-emergent now will prevent the late spring/summer weeds from coming up.

 

[UnBiased Horn]

So it's raining pretty good today in Houston. I need to aerate, lay down compost, then apply CGM. Should I do this all tomorrow and Sunday? I was then planning on putting fertilizer down in about 2 weeks. Does that timing make sense?

 

[Nonbryan]

I picked up a bag of the Lowe's GCM yesteray and put it on the lawn. It was a nice pellet consistency that worked perfect with the spreader.

 

[wolfman]

Put down pre-emergents in mid-Feb and mid-Sept. Now is the time to do it.

 

[TheFied]

Put it down this morning before mass. Turned on the sprinkler to soak it in in the afternoon. I used the stuff from Lowe's also and it says to water it after putting it down but then not to water for a while. With this drought, that won't be a problem.

 

[TexasEd]

I got a granular form from Callahan's Feed and Pet Supply in Cedar Park. I like this granular stuff better than the pellets I got last year which took forever to break down and did not seem effective because of it. 40 lb bag for $35.

 

[TheFied]

Hopefully this rain (some yesterday, some today) is helping this stuff out.