Spring Pre-Emergent Strategy: Corn Gluten Meal Timing and Benefits

Corn Gluten Meal: The Gold Standard

• Apply when yellow forsythia blooms in your area
• MUST be on DRY surface
• Too late = weed seeds already germinated
• NOTHING works better for spring germination prevention

Fertilizer Bonus

• Decomposes all spring/summer → slow-release nitrogen
• Builds great growing medium
• NO additional fertilizer needed

Sourcing

• Gardens Alive: "WOW! With Out Weeds" (gardensalive.com)
• Local garden centers (avoid Home Depot/Lowe's – not there yet)
• Patent-protected, limited licensees

Supplemental Fertilizer Option

• Milorganite: slow-release pelletized nitrogen
• Not universally endorsed but few negatives found
• Beats synthetic corporate fertilizers

Application Reminder

Have CGM ready in garage. Forsythia bloom = go time. Dry day only. Don't shop day-of.