Winter weeds may be the furthest thing from your mind right now, but the best way to control them is to limit their growth at the beginning of their life cycle.

Corn gluten meal, not to be confused with corn meal, is a natural product that inhibits the formation of seed sprouts. Apply with a hand seed spreader to avoid over-application and water it in with a garden hose and nozzle on the “mist” setting, using caution not to wash away the corn gluten from the soil surface.

When used responsibly, corn gluten meal is a great alternative to conventional herbicide use. If you purchase it, make sure the label indicates it’s a “pre-emergent” as other corn gluten meal products contain different levels of protein and are used as livestock supplements. Also, avoid using where desirable seeds, such as bluebonnets, have been sown. Corn gluten meal remains effective in the soil about four to six weeks.

Note: Corn Gluten: An Organic Pre-Emergent Herbicide, contains nitrogen; excess amounts can runoff and contaminate waterways.