The past 5 years I've grown sweet corn. Mirai 131Y

The first year was great. I had the energy and gusto to get out there in the middle of the summer, on my hands and knees and weed between each stalk and care for them like they should be. About 600 plants.

Every year since then, my determination has waned. My harvests and the quality has deteriorated.

Then I tried getting out there, pulling weeds and spreading corn gluten on one of the stands as a test. There was clearly a difference in the areas with and without corn gluten. (Natural preemergent)

So, this year when I tilled my manure in, I decided to add perlite and vermiculite and I tilled in my corn gluten at the same time. That was a month ago and I've counted 1 weed. I planting in trays and planting 3 sequential stands of corn. Before each stand is planted, I'm going to till in more even more corn gluten. I want no weeds in my corn patch.

I also grow my artichokes in the same area and beans.

Anyone have anything to add? Suggestions? Secrets?