How Soon After Applying Corn Gluten Can You Plant a Lawn?

Time Frame

• Wait at least 6 weeks after you apply corn gluten meal to plant your lawn, and do not reapply the natural pre-emergent until you have mowed the lawn three times. While corn gluten meal remains active for roughly 6 weeks, because of its organic nature, this herbicide breaks down readily and does not leave residue in the soil.

Effects

• The proteins in corn gluten meal spread into a thin, root-stunting barrier. As the seeds germinate, the tiny feeder root cannot supply water to the embryonic seedling, and the seedling dies. Corn gluten meal affects all seed categories, whether the seed is an expensive bluegrass mix or a stray from a neighbor's dandelion.

Options

• If you absolutely must apply a pre-emergent herbicide when you plant your lawn, use a product containing only siduron. This herbicide affects crabgrass and other annual weeds without affecting fescues or bluegrass. Many manufacturers combine siduron with a mild, new-lawn fertilizer.