Now’s the time to stop Crabgrass

Lawn weeds can be classified into three categories: Broadleaf Summer Annuals, Broadleaf Perennials and Grassy Summer Annuals. Broadleaf Summer Annuals include spurge and purslane. Broadleaf Perennials include Dock, Plantain and Common Mallow. 

Grassy Summer Annuals include Crabgrass, Orchard Grass and Quack grass. Of these three weed categories, Crabgrass and other Grassy Summer annuals are best controlled now, before they show up in your lawn later in the season. This can be accomplished because crabgrass is an annual. It completes its life cycle in one season. Crabgrass seed germinates in early spring, when the soil temperature has reached fifty to fifty-five degrees Fahrenheit. 

Once germinated, crabgrass matures quickly and will seed-out throughout the summer season until the first hard frost kills it. These seeds lay dormant in your lawn until the following season, when the soil is warm enough to sprout new crabgrass plants and perpetuate the cycle.  The time to control crabgrass is now, by using lawn products that contain a pre-emergent. Pre-emergents work by allowing the crabgrass seed to germinate, then killing the young plant before it has a chance to get established.

 Pre-emergents are available in  Fertilome's For All Seasons II. This product feeds your lawn and acts against any seed that may have wintered over in your grass. 

Organic-based pre-emergents are also available, in the form of corn gluten. Corn gluten products are very effective pre-emergents, controlling seeds before they have time to root. Corn gluten also supplies Nitrogen to feed your lawn. In order to work well, pre-emergents must be applied before the soil gets warm enough for seeds to start sprouting. Normally, that’s between mid-March and mid-April. It’s important to note that pre-emergents act to control any seed that may be present in your lawn. Don’t use a pre-emergent if you’re planning to over-seed your lawn this spring. 

It’s also important to note that coarse fescue and other perennial broad leaf grasses are often mistakenly identified as crabgrass. Pre-emergents will not work on perennial grasses. If you’re uncertain, bring us a sample. We’ll help you determine the best solution.