Return to the Organic Gardening Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Storing cornmeal in the shed - and chipmunks.
| | |
Posted by natureperson 5b (My Page) on Mon, Jul 18, 05 at 19:27
| I posted this on the lawn board, but I think this is probably the best one to get a response to this.
Can cornmeal be stored in the shed? It says to store it at cool, dry temps, but I don't think it's too cool in my shed.
Also, do we need to worry about critters getting in and eating a whole in the bag of cornmeal? I had an open bag of cornmeal sitting in my garage yesterday after applying it to the lawn, and a ground squirrel went into the open garage. Even though I didn't see him in the cornmeal, I wonder if it attracted him. Today I found another one in my shed when I left the doors open for a few hours. Again, he wasn't near the unopened bags of cornmeal, but I am fearful that that is what is attracting them.
Any thoughts? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Storing cornmeal in the shed - and chipmunks.
| | |
| put it in a metal container, like a garbage can Bill |
RE: Storing cornmeal in the shed - and chipmunks.
| | |
| Thanks. I don't know if I can get all those 50-lb. bags inside a metal garbage can, but I'll see. Does anyone know how long cornmeal will keep, or is it not a problem since we are using it on the lawn? |
RE: Storing cornmeal in the shed - and chipmunks.
| | |
| We stored some cornmeal in our shed over the winter (unintentionally - I forgot it had been put in there), and over the winter the mice had a nice, warm home with food. Not a fun mess to clean up! So I'd be careful of where you store it and for how long. If you aren't going to use it up within a few weeks, it would probably be best to put it into some type of container that critters can't get into. |
RE: Storing cornmeal in the shed - and chipmunks.
| | |
| cornmeal will get rancid, as it contains the corn oil - don't know if that'd make any difference to it's fertilizing value - "all those 50# bags"? get a special price on a lifetime supply? :) Bill |
RE: Storing cornmeal in the shed - and chipmunks.
| | |
| Thanks. I'll go ahead and use it up or get rid of it. Actually, I think I got what I needed for my large yard, but when applying it with my rotary spreader open all the way and going through that once, I couldn't imagine doing it again. What a workout! ; ) Also, it already seemed like a lot on the yard, although according to what I had heard was needed (20 pounds/1000 sq. ft. for first year organic gardening), I didn't apply nearly enough.
|
RE: Storing cornmeal in the shed - and chipmunks.
| | |
- Posted by Kris 8b DFW (My Page) on
Thu, Jul 21, 05 at 12:36
| OH my, this reminded me of an old little house on the prarie episode about a beakout of black plague. They traced it back to bags of cornmeal infected with rats that of course carried the flees that transmit black plague. I'm not saying anything of the sort will happen to you, just that maybe securing the cornmeal is a good idea to deter more than just chipmunks :) |
RE: Storing cornmeal in the shed - and chipmunks.
| | |
| Kris, that sounds awful. ; ) I decided to go ahead and use up all the CM I had. Even though it seemed like a lot, it was really the amount I needed for my lawn. Now I won't have to worry about "black plaque" or anything else for that matter. ; ) |
RE: Storing cornmeal in the shed - and chipmunks.
| | |
| Nature, Where did you get your 50 lb bags of corn meal??? I've called all my local feed stores and nurseries. I just want to make sure I'm not overlooking a possible sorce. Thanks,
Michelle |
RE: Storing cornmeal in the shed - and chipmunks.
| | |
| Michelle, I bought it locally at Roger's Farm and Garden Supply. They actually don't stock the cornmeal, only the cracked corn, so they offered to order it for me. Since they are located in Millbury, MA and and you are in NC, I don't think they can help you since they don't ship but try some feed stores or garden centers in your area. Keep asking around and eventually you'll find someone to buy it from. It took me a year to find it in my area. |
RE: Storing cornmeal in the shed - and chipmunks.
| | |
- Posted by Byron 4a/5b NH (My Page) on
Wed, Jul 27, 05 at 18:26
| Try a bakery supply company |
RE: Storing cornmeal in the shed - and chipmunks.
| | |
| Nature, One last question, does your corn meal have a brand name? I hope that made sense. I did ask all my local feed stores for corn meal. They all looked at me like I was nuts. Only one place said they used to grind up the corn for customers but no longer offer that service. I was hoping that maybe if I had a product name to offer these local stores, they might be able to order it for me? Thanks so much for your time and help!!! Michelle |
RE: Storing cornmeal in the shed - and chipmunks.
| | |
| Michelle, I wish I could remember the name on the package. I'll call them tomorrow and ask them and post back. I know the label/package was quite generic looking. I know what you mean about the reactions you're getting. I've gotten plenty of them. ; ) |
RE: Storing cornmeal in the shed - and chipmunks.
| | |
| You can buy corn meal by 50# bags at a food co-op or a bulk food store. I buy oatmeal in 50# but it's for eating not putting on my lawn. Vicky~ |
RE: Storing cornmeal in the shed - and chipmunks.
| | |
| Nature, Thanks so much. I really do appreciate the time and effort you are putting into this! Vicky, that's not a bad idea. I'll have to see if I can find a bulk food store. Thanks. Michelle |
RE: Storing cornmeal in the shed - and chipmunks.
| | |
Shellva,
Not sure where you are in NC, but try looking in the yellow pages for mills in your area. They may have cornmeal also. |
RE: Storing cornmeal in the shed - and chipmunks.
| | |
| Michelle, the name on the bag was Blue Seal. That's the manufacturer of the cornmeal. The lady at the feed store told me that there are other livestock feed manufacturers so it just depends on the area you live in and what they carry. Another manufacturer she mentioned was Triple Crown, so possibly one of these two brands will be what you find in your area. There are others but I don't know what they are. Look for a place that sells grains and feed for livestock. They're around. I came across a website with a listing of some places for you to check out in NC. I don't know where in the state you live, but you should be able to find something. Good luck! |
Here is a link that might be useful: NC feed stores
RE: Storing cornmeal in the shed - and chipmunks.
| | |
| Nature, Thank you!!!! While I haven't hit paydirt yet, you've definitely given me some hopefull places to start. All the feed stores on the link had been contacted previously. After researching the 2 product names you gave me, it looks like I may be able to have someone order if for me. According to Triple Crown, their products are sold at some of my local feed stores. Hopefully they'll be able to order the cornmeal. Again, thanks so much:) My roses thank you too! Michelle |
|
|
|
|
