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Gone With The Win

Will it it kill microbes?

1/10/2019 7:53:57 PM

Western Massachusetts

Preen is very similar to Roundup based on some key active ingredients: glyphosate and trifluralin. These chemicals reduce the enzyme production needed in broad leaf plants to inhibit growth. Some good studies have been done on the impact on microbial life in soils treated with glysophate... here's what I know: repeated use of glysophate in soil has been shown to reduce bacterial populations in soil but has no real overall effect on soil biomass - due to a slight increase in take-all fungus populations in soil.

Use sparingly and you'll be fine.. use too much and benificial mychorizae may be outcompeted by other soil fungus populations

1/10/2019 10:00:36 PM

Hamilton Nj

scary tuff lol id stick with weed fabrick

1/11/2019 12:03:46 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

The Preen for vegetable gardens is made of 100% corn meal gluten.

1/12/2019 4:43:38 AM

Western Massachusetts

^ That is their only truly organic product though - and won't work as well as plain old weed fabric in my honest opinion (if it did nobody would use glysophate based weed killers)

1/12/2019 12:35:21 PM

Grittyville, WA

The corn gluten could be a good idea it has value as a nitrogen source I am a little suspicious of using it though because its not good for roots . . . which is why it works. Its hard for me to believe there would be no residue. The perennial weeds are the bad ones for me, the annual weeds are not a significant problem. And corn gluten will certainly not stop the perennial ones. But to reduce annual ones, I think it would be worth a try. It may be better than some of the other options like glyphosate or tilling near the plant.

1/12/2019 10:16:24 PM

Grittyville, WA

Id try the organic one Tim. It should feed microbes its high in protien which will turn into amino acids... it would simultaneously apply a good nitrogen source at the right time of year. I bet it will give you good results.

1/12/2019 10:21:20 PM

Grittyville, WA

Tomatoes dont have sensitive roots in my experience. I dont think there is any need to worry about the residue.
Just dont apply it directly onto your tomato roots!

1/12/2019 10:35:00 PM

Bethlehem CT

I have heard mixed reviews about how effective the corn gluten meal is as a weed control.

1/13/2019 7:08:49 AM

Grittyville, WA

I meant good results as far as healthy tomato plants... As for being satisfied with the amount of weed control it would probably depend on your gardening philosophy. As I understand it, it would make sense to use it in the spring, immediately after tilling.

1/13/2019 8:49:02 AM