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Ukiah, Mendocino county, California

I've heard Soy,corn and alfalfa meals are good addition to soil, dose in lbs per square foot suggestion? Been difficult to find corn meal thinking of running through a chipper/shredder what do you think?

11/2/2015 11:57:34 PM

Johnston, Iowa

Alfalfa meal yes. Never heard of using corn meal. If you have corn plant material left over from the corn you grew this year, just work as much of it as you can back into the soil - raising the OM will help for next year. The leaves and composted manure you already have will be a huge help!

11/3/2015 11:27:36 AM

Ukiah, Mendocino county, California

Thank you Dan

11/3/2015 3:32:30 PM

Ukiah, Mendocino county, California

farmers started noticing that crops that follow corn crops seem to be more resistant or less likely to succumb to fungus.

11/3/2015 4:28:59 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

I read a little on here about corn meal the other day. Adds slow release nitrogen and attracts Trichoderma fungus according to the post below. Alfalfa is 3-0-3 if I recall correctly. Don't know recommendations on patch, I just add alfalfa to planting site and mix in well in 8'x8' area in spring.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=554871

11/3/2015 4:39:22 PM

Ukiah, Mendocino county, California

Thanks smallmouth

11/3/2015 7:31:01 PM

valparaiso, in

I add bean, alfalfa, cottonseed, and sometimes kelp meal every year. I add a 50 lb. bag but keep some back for planting holes and to make tea.

11/3/2015 11:02:59 PM

Ukiah, Mendocino county, California

Thank you Gritch

11/4/2015 11:15:04 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

You might be able to find corn gluten meal, which is a dry product left over after making ethanol. It is 10% nitrogen and has pre-emergence herbicide properties. When very small seeded weeds sprout they quickly die. It is often used on lawns.

11/5/2015 6:49:58 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

I have a mix made at the local feed store 200 pounds cracked corn( bigger than meal) 200 pounds of alfalfa meal 200 pounds of cracked soy beans..
All mixed together... I use about 200 pounds per 1500 sq ft... Till in good.. And wait. Corn meal will bring in worms like no other.. It does pack an organic punch.. It does have a slow nitrogen release .. We call it pumpkin fert. At the grain store..., been using it for years now.. I do not like the powder consistency of true corn meal.. Blows away.. Cracked corn and beans do not wind drift.. Which means more stays in the patch.
I'm no expert but I like it and I know other people who use the seed meals as well... Don't let it get wet in the bag... It won't smell so nice..

11/6/2015 8:55:57 AM

Couldn't agree with Garry any more, as a pumpkin grower you should be on a first name bases with your local feed store, great source of soil additives.

11/6/2015 10:24:45 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

I always use our local feed store... now I'm going to look into the cornmeal too along with the alfalfa I have been buying from them.

11/6/2015 12:14:02 PM

Massillon, Ohio

As PumpkinBrat mentioned in Smallmouth's link....Too many people confuse corn meal and corn gluten. Years ago there was an older gentleman,"Doc Gipe", who grew AG's and posted here on BP. He was one of the first here to promote organic growing. Here are some of my notes on corn meal - per Doc Gipe: 1) 1st year, 20 lbs per 1000 sq. ft. Following years, 10 lbs per 1000 sq. ft. 2) Corn meal is NOT a germination inhibitor. 3) It will give a small amount of nitrogen. 4) It feeds the worms. 5) Very good against fungal disease. Forms a community of beneficial fungi, to prevent the "bad guys" from working. 6) It strengthens the bacteria that eats the bad fungi.

11/6/2015 3:25:46 PM

Massillon, Ohio

CORN GLUTEN - per Doc Gipe: 1) This IS a germination inhibitor. 2) It will give a small amount of nitrogen. 3) Corn gluten should NEVER be used on a pumpkin patch because of how it works. It should not be in contact with any plant that has continuing development of hair roots. It should not be in contact with mychorrizae. Corn gluten will kill developing hair roots.

11/6/2015 3:30:30 PM

Massillon, Ohio

Here is a great link that includes a lot of comments by Doc Gipe. www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=10&p=68004. Hope I got that copied correctly!

11/6/2015 3:34:11 PM

Massillon, Ohio

OK then! Try this......put "corn gluten" in search box. Scroll way down to 3/11/04 - Fertilizing & Watering - subject: Corn meal?

11/6/2015 3:41:33 PM

NE Arkansas

Rice Bran is another option I'm considering... anybody ever used it? Pros/Cons?

11/6/2015 3:45:29 PM

Italy

I'll use this year alfa alfa extract to stimulate plant growth.

1/12/2016 11:02:02 AM

Peru

If I remember rite, corn is in the organic preen containers. Preen helps stop weeds from growing

1/13/2016 8:20:44 AM

Ukiah, Mendocino county, California

my goodness so much good advice, I had not checked for a while thank you everyone! ;)

1/22/2016 6:38:35 PM