4 Genius Ways to Use Cornmeal for a Healthier Garden This pantry staple is an unexpected garden hero. Close Credit: Getty Images Key Points Cornmeal is a natural, budget-friendly way to care for your garden without using strong or harmful chemicals.Sprinkling plain cornmeal on soil helps prevent fungal diseases and keeps beneficial microbes alive in the soil.Adding cornmeal to compost or garden beds feeds the soil slowly and attracts beneficial insects that eat garden pests.Cornmeal can cut down compost smells and speed up breakdown, helping turn scraps into healthy soil faster. A common ingredient in baking and cooking, cornmeal is also a versatile substance to use in the garden. It can be utilized as a natural fungicide, a mild fertilizer, and even as a gentle deterrent against common garden pests. Even better? This simple kitchen staple is an eco-friendly and natural alternative to garden treatments using harsh chemicals. Here are all the clever ways to use cornmeal in the garden, according to a garden expert. Megan Edge, a garden expert, holistic garden educator, and natural wellness expert using garden plants as medicine How to Use Baking Soda in Your Garden to Boost Flowers, Deter Pests, and More Fight Fungus Cornmeal helps reduce soil-borne fungal diseases, such as root rot and powdery mildew, according to gardening expert Megan Edge. "Cornmeal doesn’t just kill a problem; it nurtures the soil microbiome, so the soil’s balance is restored naturally," she says. To use cornmeal to fight fungus, lightly sprinkle plain cornmeal over the soil at the base of any plants affected by soil-borne fungal disease. Next, lightly water the cornmeal to help it absorb into the soil. Repeat this process once a month during the growing season, as overuse can lead to moldy buildup, especially in damp climates, says Edge. Always use plain, food-grade cornmeal in the garden, not cornmeal mixes, self-rising varieties, or cornbread blends with salt or additives, as these can negatively impact your garden. Organic Fertilizer Edge says that cornmeal is a mild, slow-release food source for the microbes and beneficial fungi that make up healthy soil. "Healthy gardens start below the surface, and so cornmeal is a quiet nourishment for the living soil when used in this way,” she says. To support soil microbes, mix a handful of cornmeal into compost piles or directly into garden beds when prepping soil for planting. "It works especially well when paired with other organic matter like composted leaves or aged manure," she adds. Don't Miss How Gardening Experts Use Cinnamon to Deter Pests, Boost Plant Growth, Improve Pruning, and More This 3-Ingredient Homemade Weed Killer Uses Vinegar to Safely Remove Unwanted Plants Attract Beneficial Insects Cornmeal can attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, ground beetles, and lacewings, which prey on aphids, mites, and other pests. "Cornmeal is safe for children, pets, pollinators, and the broader ecosystem," says Edge. Some drawbacks to using cornmeal in this way are that it washes away after rain and it may attract unwanted pests, like rodents, if applied in thick layers or left on the surface in warm weather. The key is to be consistent in application and not apply too much at once. Eliminate Compost Odors Adding cornmeal to your compost pile helps speed up decomposition and keeps bad smells at bay. Plus, cornmeal is natural and accessible, making it a great option for gardeners who want to support their compost piles naturally, says Edge. For this method of using cornmeal in the garden, sprinkle a layer over food scraps or add it to green-heavy compost piles. "Cornmeal helps balance the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and encourages heat-building microbes," she says. Explore more: Garden