How to Kill Weeds for Corn Planting

Corn is synonymous with large fields and orderly rows, as it is the kind of plant that lends itself well to planting on a large scale. Killing the weeds in a field for corn planting might seem like a big task that can only be handled by chemical herbicides, but in reality the job just requires the right tools and some advance planning. This is as true for a hobby farmer with a big field as it is for the home gardener with a small plot.

Mower
Roll(s) of black plastic sheeting
Anchor weights, such as bricks or cinder blocks
10-5-10 fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Mow the corn plot or field to chop down any tall weeds. Plan on taking this first step at least three months prior to when you intend to plant the corn. If you live in Pennsylvania and want to plant your corn in May, you need to start mowing no later than February.
- 2
  Fertilize the soil before smothering the weeds, if fertilization is necessary. Corn needs a fertilizer with high levels of nitrogen and potassium, but only modest amounts of phosphorus, such as a fertilizer with an NPK (nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium) ratio of 10-5-10. How the fertilizer is applied depends on the type, but it is usually either tilled or raked into the soil.
- 3
  Lay out overlapping sheets of black plastic sheeting to cover the cornfield. Anchor the sheets with whatever weights are convenient, such as cinder blocks, bricks, field stones or old tires. This blots out sunlight and smothers weeds.
- 4
  Carry away the anchors and remove the black plastic sheeting when you are ready to plant the corn. All but the toughest weeds will be dead from the months without sunlight, but the soil will be enriched with the appropriate fertilizer and ready for planting.

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