One of the few unwelcome signs of spring is crabgrass. Crabgrass is a grassy
weed that is common throughout much of the country. It dies every fall, just before
winter. Before dying it drops its seeds, waiting for warm weather to arrive the
following spring.
The best way to get rid of crabgrass in your lawn is to prevent if before it starts to
grow. Since crabgrass spreads by seed, the most effective means of crabgrass
control is with products known as crabgrass preventer's. The product is available
formulated with lawn fertilizer or as just as a preventer alone.
How it works
To effectively stop crabgrass you must catch it before it gets established —
crabgrass preventer's will not affect actively growing crabgrass. Crabgrass
germinates when soil temperatures reach 55 deg F for several days. Time of
germination varies by region and by the weather. Sandy soil and lawns that
face south tend to warm up more quickly in spring. A general guideline is to
apply when the first forsythia bushes bloom, or when average daytime
temperatures are 65 Deg F.
Crabgrass preventer's do not keep crabgrass seeds from germinating. The
product is applied to the lawn and watered into the soil. A chemical barrier is
created in the soil. When sprouting seedlings reach the barrier, they are
killed. Because the barrier is so effective, any germinating seed (which
would also include grass seed) would also be killed. Read the product label
to determine how soon you can sow grass seed after applying crabgrass
preventer in the lawn.
For best results, do not de-thatch or aerate the lawn after applying the
herbicide. Doing so may break the chemical barrier of the herbicide. Some
products will kill crabgrass for up to 4 weeks after germination. Other
products will degrade more quickly.
Make sure the lawn is clean — no leaves or debris — the herbicide must go
into the soil to work. Crabgrass preventer's require water to activate the
barrier generally about 1/2’’.
Over-application of herbicides is not a solution to a weed problem. Using
too much can in fact cause more harm than good. Read the product label
carefully and follow all application and safety instructions.
For future control, remember that the best prevention method for crabgrass
or any weed is a healthy lawn. Mowing at the proper height for your grass
type will help to crowd-out” crabgrass with healthy grass. Proper watering
and fertilization are also critical.
weed that is common throughout much of the country. It dies every fall, just before
winter. Before dying it drops its seeds, waiting for warm weather to arrive the
following spring.
The best way to get rid of crabgrass in your lawn is to prevent if before it starts to
grow. Since crabgrass spreads by seed, the most effective means of crabgrass
control is with products known as crabgrass preventer's. The product is available
formulated with lawn fertilizer or as just as a preventer alone.
How it works
To effectively stop crabgrass you must catch it before it gets established —
crabgrass preventer's will not affect actively growing crabgrass. Crabgrass
germinates when soil temperatures reach 55 deg F for several days. Time of
germination varies by region and by the weather. Sandy soil and lawns that
face south tend to warm up more quickly in spring. A general guideline is to
apply when the first forsythia bushes bloom, or when average daytime
temperatures are 65 Deg F.
Crabgrass preventer's do not keep crabgrass seeds from germinating. The
product is applied to the lawn and watered into the soil. A chemical barrier is
created in the soil. When sprouting seedlings reach the barrier, they are
killed. Because the barrier is so effective, any germinating seed (which
would also include grass seed) would also be killed. Read the product label
to determine how soon you can sow grass seed after applying crabgrass
preventer in the lawn.
For best results, do not de-thatch or aerate the lawn after applying the
herbicide. Doing so may break the chemical barrier of the herbicide. Some
products will kill crabgrass for up to 4 weeks after germination. Other
products will degrade more quickly.
Make sure the lawn is clean — no leaves or debris — the herbicide must go
into the soil to work. Crabgrass preventer's require water to activate the
barrier generally about 1/2’’.
Over-application of herbicides is not a solution to a weed problem. Using
too much can in fact cause more harm than good. Read the product label
carefully and follow all application and safety instructions.
For future control, remember that the best prevention method for crabgrass
or any weed is a healthy lawn. Mowing at the proper height for your grass
type will help to crowd-out” crabgrass with healthy grass. Proper watering
and fertilization are also critical.
| How To? |
| Prevent Crabgrass in Your lawn |
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