Pesticide Free Weed Control

Weed Control Without

Pesticides

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

With Victoria, Esquimalt and Saanich banning the use of cosmetic pesticides for residential lawns and gardens, homeowners need to change their approach to lawn care. Killex, Weed n Feed and other chemical based weed killers are prohibited - the penalty for a first offence is a warning, but subsequent offences can carry a penalty from $250 to $10,000.

Corn Gluten Meal - a natural lawn care herbicide

One of the most important breakthroughs in organic lawn care was discovered by accident by Iowa State University researchers. Corn gluten stops root development when seeds germinate causing the plant to die. Corn gluten meal is now patented, and is licensed for use as an alternative to chemical weed and feed products. Experts say 50-60% weed control in the first year is possible if the product is applied at the right time. If applied annually, weeds can be reduced by more than 90%.

Timing is everything - apply before tulips go dormant To successfully kill weeds with corn gluten, timing is crucial. Corn gluten needs to be applied when weed seeds are sprouting – experts say “before tulips go dormant”. Typically in Victoria, corn gluten should be applied before the end of March.

Bruce Marshall
http://www.turflogic.ca/
weed control without pesticides