Synergy Corn Gluten Meal for Lawns – Spring and Fall Application

Synergy Corn Gluten Meal for Lawns – Spring and Fall Application admin February 21, 2023

CORN GLUTEN MEAL FOR LAWNS

The Best Organic Pre-Emergent for Lawns

Synergy with Corn Gluten Meal

Experience the power of Synergy with Corn Gluten Meal, a natural solution that provides both pre-emergent weed control and fertilization. Derived from a beneficial byproduct of corn syrup production, corn gluten meal has been successfully used to combat lawn weeds for over 30 years. Keep your lawn healthy and control weeds the natural way!

Applied in Early Spring and Fall for Maximum Effectiveness

For optimal weed prevention, apply Synergy before weed seeds germinate at the recommended rate of 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet. A single application can reduce weed growth by up to 60%, making a noticeable difference in your lawn’s health.

For long-term control, consistent applications in both spring and fall over three or more consecutive years can achieve an impressive 95% reduction in weeds. This natural, chemical-free approach helps create a lush, thriving lawn while keeping unwanted weeds at bay.

Approximate Weed Control Rates

Year 1 – 60% Control Rate
Year 2 – 70% Control Rate
Year 3 – 80% Control Rate
Year4+ – 90% Control Rate

The effectiveness of corn gluten meal as a weed control solution increases with consecutive annual applications. The longer it is used, the greater its impact, gradually reducing weed seed germination and improving overall lawn health. With consistent applications each spring and fall, weed presence significantly declines, leading to a thicker, healthier, and more resilient lawn over time.

Broadcast Application

Corn Gluten Meal for Lawns
Synergy with Corn Gluten Meal prevents weeds before they start while nourishing your lawn with corn gluten meal. This all-natural pre-emergent herbicide inhibits weed seed germination and provides a rich source of nitrogen for healthy, lush grass. Apply in spring and fall for a long-lasting organic fertilizer and chemical-free weed control.

Organic Weed Control for Lawns

Spring Applications – Timing is Key

For optimal results, apply Synergy in early spring, ideally in March or early April, before weed seeds begin to germinate. As a natural pre-emergent herbicide, corn gluten meal works by inhibiting root development in newly sprouting seeds, preventing weeds from establishing in your lawn.

However, timing is crucial—once weeds have germinated and started growing, corn gluten meal as a weed control is no longer effective. Its root-suppressing properties only work during the earliest stages of seed development, making early application essential for maximum weed prevention.  The fertilizer however, is still very effective. 

Fall Application –  Strengthen Your Lawn & Boost Weed Prevention

Applying corn gluten meal in the fall as a winterizer delivers a powerful dual benefit—it nourishes your lawn through the winter while enhancing weed prevention for the following spring. A fall application of Synergy, followed by another in the spring, provides superior weed control compared to spring treatments alone.

Rich in slow-release nitrogen, corn gluten meal strengthens your grass before winter dormancy, promoting deep root growth and ensuring a vibrant, healthy lawn come spring. This unique combination of natural fertilization and weed prevention makes fall the ideal time to apply Synergy, setting the foundation for a lush, thriving lawn.

Pet Friendly Weed Control

Organic Pre-emergent Weed Control for Lawns
Happy dogs, healthy lawns! Corn gluten meal weed control keeps your grass lush and weed-free—without harsh chemicals, so your furry friends can keep playing worry-free!

When is the Ideal Time to Apply Corn Gluten Meal Weed Control?

Spring: March 1st – March 31st
Fall: September 23- October 31st

Corn Gluten Meal Application Seasons:

Spring: March 1st – April 15th
Fall: September 15th – November 20th (Whenever the snow won’t allow us to apply)

Derived From:

Corn Gluten Meal for lawns, Bone Meal, and Sulphate of Potash.

Synergy, an all organic pre-emergent weed control, is registered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, and is recommended for weed control for lawns in the Boulder and Fort Collins area.

Corn Gluten Meal

Synergy with Corn Gluten Meal Weed Control
Synergy with corn gluten meal is a proprietary blend owned by Organo-Lawn. We have been using Corn Gluten Meal as a pre-emergent weed control and fertilizer for lawns since we opened for business in 1997.

5 Reasons Why Homeowners Experience Poor Results from Other Corn Gluten Meal Fertilizers

How Much Does Synergy with Corn Gluten Meal Cost?

(303) 499-2000 Boulder or (970) 225-9425 Fort Collins

Corn Gluten Meal Weed Control for Lawns FAQ's

How Does Corn Gluten Meal Work?

Prevents the Secondary Feeder Root

The precise mechanism behind corn gluten meal’s weed-preventing properties is not yet fully understood, but the leading theory suggests it disrupts early root development. When a weed seed germinates, it attempts to send out a secondary feeder root to absorb nutrients from the soil. Corn gluten meal interferes with this process, weakening or preventing the root from forming, which stops the young weed from developing into a mature plant. This natural pre-emergent action effectively reduces weed growth, helping to maintain a lush, healthy lawn—without the need for synthetic chemicals.

Natural Weed Control

Corn Gluten Meal Weed Control for Lawns
Feed your lawn naturally! Corn gluten meal not only nourishes your grass with nitrogen but also helps prevent pesky weeds before they sprout. A win-win for a greener, healthier lawn.

Is Corn Gluten Meal Safe for Kids and Pets?

Made from Edible Ingredients

Corn gluten meal is a food-grade product that is generally considered safe for people and pets, except in cases of corn allergies. A byproduct of corn syrup production, it is derived entirely from corn and commonly used in various food products. It also serves as a filler in some dog foods and plays a role in the brewing process for beer. With its versatility and non-toxic nature, corn gluten meal offers a natural and eco-friendly alternative for lawn care.

Department of Ag Rules

The Colorado Department of Agriculture does not allow any weed control products to be labeled as completely safe. While we cannot explicitly claim that corn gluten meal is entirely risk-free for children and pets, it is derived from edible, food-grade ingredients. As a natural byproduct of corn processing, it is widely used in animal feed and food production, making it one of the safest alternatives for organic lawn care. However, individuals with corn allergies should exercise caution. non-toxic ingredients.

Bee Friendly Weed Control

Tree Care Services Boulder
Synergy is comprised of Corn Gluten Meal, which is an edible by product of corn syrup production. Corn gluten meal is considered non-toxic to people, pets, and bees. Unless there are specific concerns about food allergies corn gluten meal is a great selection for an organic weed control.

Additional Corn Gluten Meal Weed Control FAQs

Posting a pesticide application flag is a legal requirement, even if the product used is 100% organic. This is mandated by the Department of Agriculture. Any product that claims to control weeds must be marked with a pesticide application marker.

Dandelions are biennial plants, meaning they germinate from seed in their first year and then continue to grow from their root system for one to two additional years. Because your lawn naturally has dandelions at various stages of growth, it is important to apply Synergy annually. Synergy only controls weeds that germinate from seed. Therefore, the first application of Synergy will not eliminate dandelions that are sprouting from an established root system. While patience is required when using corn gluten meal, it can be extremely effective when used regularly over a 2-3 year period.

Synergy is a granular product that is applied using a broadcast spreader. However, most spreaders cannot achieve the recommended application rate of 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet. To ensure accurate application, we use specialized Earthway commercial spreaders set to a full open rate.

Corn gluten meal is a byproduct of the corn milling process, primarily used as a high-protein supplement in animal feed. In gardening and lawn care, it is used as an organic pre-emergent herbicide and fertilizer due to its nitrogen content.

To achieve the highest effectiveness in controlling weed germination, we recommend applying treatments in both spring and fall. The spring application not only fertilizes your lawn but also prevents the germination of weed seeds. It should be applied before weed seeds begin to germinate, ideally between March 1st and March 31st. The fall application helps to winterize your lawn by increasing the concentration of corn gluten meal in the soil. If you choose to have a fall application, we recommend applying Synergy again in the spring for optimal results. Using both fall and spring applications can achieve a 60% to 80% effectiveness rate in controlling weed seed germination, while a spring-only application has an effectiveness rate of 40% to 60%.

Corn gluten meal can be moderately effective at controlling weeds in a lawn when used correctly, but its success depends on several factors. As a pre-emergent herbicide, it prevents weed seeds from developing roots after germination, effectively stopping annual weeds like crabgrass, dandelions, and foxtail before they establish. However, it does not control existing weeds or perennial weeds with established root systems.

When applied at the right time—typically early spring for summer weeds and early fall for cool-season weeds—it can reduce weed seed germination by 60-80% over multiple applications. Results are not immediate; repeated, consistent use over 2-3 growing seasons is often necessary to see significant improvement.

Factors such as timing, soil moisture, and application rate impact its effectiveness. Additionally, it requires a sufficient application rate—20 pounds per 1,000 square feet—to achieve the desired results.  Overall Corn Gluten Meal works best as part of a comprehensive lawn care plan that includes proper lawn watering practices and lawn mowing techniques.

We tend to see the following weed control rates when using Corn Gluten Meal.  We find the best results in the lawns where the homeowners are also following our watering and lawn mowing recommendations.

    • First Year = 60% control rate
    • Second Year = 70% control rate
    • Third Year = 80% control rate
    • Fourth Year = 90%+ control rate

Synergy is a pre-emergent weed control product, which means it prevents weed seeds from germinating and developing properly. However, it does not kill existing weeds. Additionally, since it may affect grass seeds, we do not recommend applying this product if you plan to plant grass in the next 2 to 4 weeks.

This product is an organic pre-emergent, which means it will not prevent all weeds from germinating—only those that grow from seeds. If used in combination with One Earth Weed Killer as part of a full season program, you can expect to achieve a mostly weed-free lawn within a year, provided you also follow proper cultural practices like mowing and watering.

Instant results are not something that Synergy can guarantee. If you are looking for a completely weed-free lawn after just one application, it’s important to understand that organic lawn care is a gradual process. However, with patience and consistent effort, this program can be very effective.

To effectively control weeds, Corn Gluten Meal should be applied at a rate of 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet or more. In comparison, most chemical fertilizers are typically applied at a rate of only 2 to 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet, meaning that a greater quantity of product is needed when using Corn Gluten Meal.

Yes, corn gluten meal is rich in nitrogen, containing about 10% by weight. This makes it a beneficial slow-release fertilizer that can help promote healthy grass, stimulate microbial activity, and promote plant growth while controlling weeds.

You can use corn gluten meal in vegetable gardens, but caution is needed. Since it inhibits seed germination, it should not be applied where you plan to sow seeds. It’s best used around established plants or transplants to control weeds without affecting your vegetables.

Note that Organo-Lawn will not apply any product to vegetable gardens, but we do sell bags of Synergy for homeowner use. 

It is possible but unlikely. Organic nitrogen sources like the one from Corn Gluten Meal can leach into the water supply under rare conditions, though the risk is dramatically lower compared to synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. Organic nitrogen sources, such as compost, manure, or plant-based materials (e.g., alfalfa meal), release nitrogen only through microbial activity. This gradual release dramatically reduces the immediate risk of leaching and if leaching does occur it is only a fraction of the total nitrogen. 

Unfortunately, 99.7% of the corn produced in the U.S. is not organically grown. While there is organic corn gluten meal available, it is priced at four times the cost of conventional options. This high price makes it prohibitive for most people to purchase.

Yes, it contains about 10% nitrogen, which feeds the grass and promotes lush, green growth.

The corn gluten meal that is used in Synergy is most likely derived from conventional field corn, which often includes genetically modified (GMO) varieties. We have sourced GMO-free corn gluten meal, however, the price difference for a certified organic corn gluten meal is significantly higher.