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Gardeners assembling their arsenal of weapons for control of weeds next spring should stock up on a good dose of patience. This is especially true for people who do not want to overdose on lawn poisons, but are not exactly sure what to do without them.

In addition to patience, add two more things: experimentation and accepting nature’s imperfections. Fall is a great time to experiment because it’s a little bit cooler outdoors. Cooler temperatures reduce stress on your plants and on you, too.

One of the weapons that should be in your arsenal for control of winter weeds is corn gluten meal, and get ready to apply it in late September through the first part of October. Be sure to get real corn gluten meal. The label should say 60 percent protein or 9 percent nitrogen. Organic gardeners recommend 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet for weed control, and say that if you apply less in order to scrimp, you wind up fertilizing grass or weeds.

Do not use a pre-emergent in a vegetable garden, because it will kill the vegetable seeds as they sprout.

Overuse of harsh chemicals in the landscape can cause problems for the lawn and for people, and using poisons to kill weeds and pests is a relatively recent development.

But getting the yard in shape using organic methods can take a while, and gardeners must learn to accept imperfections in their landscapes. That means letting the weeds develop in the spring while encouraging turf grass growth. Give the yard a few weeks and a healthy turf, and usually the turf will win out.

Organic gardeners also suggest overall soil improvement, such as turkey compost spread around the yard. Put it in a wheelbarrow, sprinkle it all over, and let it sift into the soil.

Here are other tips for weed and fungus control:

* Corn gluten meal works by inhibiting the root formation of germinating plants. You can apply it anytime, but if you wait until spring, apply in late February and early March. See amounts above for application ratios.

* Horticultural corn meal: This works for brown patch by stimulating a naturally occurring bacteria in the soil.

* Don’t water at night. This can cause brown patch. Best time to water is early in the morning before daybreak, and before the heat of the day sets in.

* When leaves start falling, collect them for your compost pile. Add in kitchen scraps (except for dairy and meat). Homemade compost is a good soil additive for lawns and flower beds. Be patient with your compost pile, too. It takes time, lots of matter and frequent turning to create a good compost pile.

* Don’t worry about imperfections in your yard. Nature is not perfect.

Barbara LeDoux Elmore grew up in Johnson City and gardens in Fredericksburg. She publishes a free online garden and home newsletter. To subscribe or suggest story ideas, e-mail her at barbara@digandletdig.com.