Corn gluten is an all-natural fertilizer that can help drought-stressed lawns recover.
Lawns take a beating in the summer from hot and dry conditions. We use corn gluten to help dormant and drought-stressed lawns. If you are an In Harmony lawn care client, one of our service techs will apply it to your lawn this summer.
Corn gluten is an all-natural fertilizer made from a by-product of the corn milling process. When used properly, it can quickly bring back a drought-stressed lawn.
The only after care that our clients need to do is to water it in once after application. This starts the decomposing process so that it cannot be sucked up by a lawn mower.
Corn gluten is a 9-0-0 organic fertilizer. This means that it contains 9 percent nitrogen (and no potassium or phosphorus). Nitrogen encourages rapid growth of the grass leaves.
Most of the 9 percent (8.23 percent, to be exact) is water “insoluble.” This means that the product is incapable of washing away. It remains available until the plants can use it. So when the rains return, the lawn will green up vigorously.
Corn gluten products
When we started In Harmony 25 years ago, corn gluten was not available as a fertilizer product. Some of the other products we now use regularly, such as compost tea and effective microbes, were also not available.
The landscape industry and its suppliers have learned over the years about the importance of soil biology. As time has gone on, more products have come on the market that feed and nourish the important critters that keep your soil and plants healthy.
In Harmony uses non-GMO corn gluten, certified as organic by OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute). This makes it even higher quality than most. We’re protecting the earth while helping your lawn.
Some products for the home garden use corn gluten as a pre-emergent weed control. A few of these products are sold under the Down To Earth brand of garden products. Down to Earth products can be found at many quality garden stores.
Corn gluten, dogs and other animals
Corn gluten is safe for people and pets. Due to the strong smell, some dogs can be attracted to it. It seems to be especially true if they eat dog food with corn gluten as the filler, because it smells like their food. Some dogs may be allergic to corn gluten. If this is the case, then the dog should be kept out of the product until it is watered in really well.
Some animals or birds may find it curious and be slightly attracted to it. We have found that this mostly happens just after it has been applied, probably because it is bright yellow and catches their attention. Most animals will leave it alone after the initial watering when the smell disappears.
