Can corncobs help the growth of plants??

Question

can it be a fertilizer?

Answer 1

Ground corncobs are used as an organic mulch to prevent weed germination and growth, thereby reducing competition for light, water, and nutrients. The resulting fewer cultivations mean less damage to the roots. Mulch protects soil from compacting rains, foot traffic, drying winds, and heat, & allows flexibility in fertilizing and watering since the ground corncobs can be raked back from the plants. It should normally be applied uniformly three to four inches deep around the base of the plant. Using ground corncobs as a mulch reduces soil erosion and the splattering of soil on the plant's leaves and fruit during rains or sprinkling. This can reduce losses to soil-borne diseases.

When applied to cool-season vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and English peas in midspring, ground corncobs can help to keep the soil from rapid warming and drying and can extend the growing and harvest periods.

When incorporated into the soil, ground corncobs improves water-holding capacity, nutrient availability, and aeration of the soil. It has some fertilizer value and is a good soil conditioner when worked into the soil, improving both the physical and chemical properties of soil.

Be careful... "Ground corncobs are low in nitrogen. As they decompose, nitrogen is drawn from the soil, causing a shortage of nitrogen in the mulched vegetables." To prevent this, add one-fourth pound ammonium nitrate or its equivalent to each bushel of corncobs before applying mulch. When it is time to side-dress, pull the mulch back from plants and apply fertilizer to the soil surface.
http://msucares.com/lawn/garden/vegetables/mulching/index.html
Good luck! Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Absolutely! They provide nitrogen. Add them to your compost