ORGANIC WEED CONTROLS

When it comes to weeds, North Texas has them all: dandelions, crabgrass, nutsedge, clover . . .Keeping them under control is a priority for most homeowners. You need a program that includes both "pre-emergent" and "post-emergent" treatments.​ But chemical weed killers like Roundup, Scott's Turf Builder, and Dimension contain ingredients such as 2,4-D, Dicamba, Mecoprop-p (MCPP), and sometimes Sulfentrazone or Trimec for broadleaf control — all of which poison your soil and, over time, even harm your beloved trees and shrubs. In fact, even some proponents of chemical-based lawn care programs discourage the use of "weed-and-feed" products because of their extreme toxicity. At Marshall Grain, we offer a better solution. Our organic weed controls encompass both pre-emergent and post-emergent products that keep your lawn safe for people, pets, and wildlife.

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Corn Gluten Meal: The Organic Pre-Emergent Weed Control

What is Corn Gluten Meal?

It is derived from corn and acts as both a natural pre-emergent weed control and a 9-0-0 lawn food. It is currently the only organic pre-emergent option available.

 

How Does Corn Gluten Meal Work?

It kills weeds by inhibiting seed germination. It works on all types of seeds — and only on seeds. Corn gluten does NOT kill existing weeds, nor does it harm other plants. As with other pre-emergent products, its effectiveness depends on timing and application rate. It must be applied as soon as dandelions begin to appear. You may need to apply it more than once per season depending on weather conditions.

 

How to Apply Corn Gluten Meal

The product is available as a powder (meal) or granule (spreadable). Either product can be distributed using any type of fertilizer spreader. The powder is very fine and somewhat messy to put out, however, it is more effective than the granules when applied at the recommended rate (20lbs per 1000 square feet). One application of Corn Gluten Meal keeps working to suppress seed germination for 4 to 6 weeks depending on the weather. Both forms are excellent sources of nitrogen and can be used as a 9-0-0 lawn food. Give your lawn 2 weeks to use the nitrogen in the corn gluten before applying any other fertilizer. You may also apply it at 10lbs per 1000 sq. ft. at the beginning of the season and again at that same rate 6 to 8 weeks later.

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Organic Post-Emergent Weed Killers

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​Post-emergent weed killers are designed to eliminate existing weeds. They include:

 

20% Horticultural Vinegar

Nothing kills weeds faster than 20% Horticultural Vinegar. This non-selective acid burns weeds back to the roots. Use full strength on all types of weeds. You can increase its effectiveness by adding a small amount of natural Orange Oil to each gallon of 20% Vinegar.  Add a drop or two of any dishwashing liquid to serve as a surfactant, which makes your mixture adhere to weeds. Pick any sunny day and spray the crown of each weed thoroughly. In a few hours, you’ll have dead weeds!

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Agralawn Crabgrass Killer

Crabgrass and other grassy weeds are difficult to kill without also harming your lawn. Recommend by The Dirt Doctor, Agralawn uses cinnamon bark, which is fast-acting, but will not harm common lawns like St. Augustine, Zoysia, and Bermuda. Agralawn also kills Crabgrass, Basketgrass, Chickweed, Clover Sticker burrs, Goat head weeds, Dollar weed (Pennywort), Dallis grass, and other similar weeds. Agralawn is intended to be used as a spot treatment. The area to be treated must be wet or it will not work. For best results, apply it during the morning while morning dew is present, or wet the affected area with a hose, irrigation or spray bottle. When used properly, Agralawn Crabgrass Killer causes very little reaction or yellowing to St. Augustine lawns.

 

​Pulverize 

Pulverize is one a growing list of organic post-emergent weed control products. It is available in three formulas:  Blue: Weed & Grass Killer; and Orange: Weed & Brush Killer.

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Pulverize Weed Killer for Lawns (green formula) is designed to kill flowering weeds such as dandelions, without harming your turf grass. Available in a hose-end sprayer, simply hook it up to your garden hose and easily treat your entire lawn. Or choose the one-gallon pump-up sprayer or 32oz ready-to-use trigger spray.

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Pulverize Weed & Grass Killer (blue formula) kills most types of grassy weeds as well as flowering weeds. It acts fast to kill weeds, grasses, moss, algae, and lichens—without leaving stains or harmful residue behind, making it Ideal for use on gravel, concrete, driveways, and garden borders. Available in a 32oz ready-to-use trigger spray, one-gallon pump-up sprayer, or 32oz concentrate.

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Pulverize Weed, Brush & Vine Killer (orange formula) targets stubborn weeds, invasive vines, brush, moss, and algae with a powerful combo of active ingredients that burn down on contact and prevent regrowth. Available in a 32oz trigger sprayer, one-gallon pump-up spray, and 32oz concentrate.