Now’s the Time to control Crabgrass

 

Crabgrass is a warm season annual weed. It appears in late spring and disappears after the first frost. It grows from seed deposited the previous season. These seeds will germinate once the soil temperatures reach 55°F to 60°F. Crabgrass and other weeds such as foxtails, cheat grass and annual bluegrass typically sprout in the spring, grow quickly, set seed and die out after the first fall frost. The seed lies dormant in your lawn and landscape until the next spring, then germinates when the soil is warm enough. Because they grow from seed, they can be controlled by applying a product called a pre-emergent. A pre-emergent works by suppressing seed germination.

A pre-emergent will not control established weeds such as quackgrass, field bindweed, spurge, tall fescue and others. It will control the seeds produced by these rooted weeds, but not the plant itself. To control rooted weeds, you need a post emergent product.  

 

Note. Do not apply a pre-emergent if you plan to seed or overseed your lawn this spring. Pre-emergents will prevent the grass seed from germinating. 

If you plan to aerate this spring, aerate first, apply then apply a pre-emergent. Once applied, the less you disturb a pre-emergent, the more effective it is. 

  

More on crabgrass. Crabgrass tends to grow flat (prostrate) to the ground. Crabgrass has a light, apple green color. Crabgrass appears in the spring and disappears after the first hard frost. 

If the weedy grass was there all winter, it's a perennial (probably Tall Fescue). There is no selective control for Tall Fescue. You can dig it out or use a non-selective herbicide, such as horticultural vinegar. Just be sure you target the weed and minimize contact with the adjacent grass. 

   

 

Pre-emergents are available in ferti•lome 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 9% Nitrogen to feed your lawn.  

 

Pre-emergents are also available without fertilizer. Examples of these products include Hi-Yield Turf & Ornamental Weed and Grass Stopper, which can be used on established cool and warm season lawns.  Hi-Yield Herbicide Granules, which is rated for flower gardens and around trees and shrubs.  

 

 

To work effectively, pre-emergents must be applied before the soil gets warm enough for seeds to start sprouting. Normally, that’s between late-March and mid-April. It’s also important to water the area after applying a pre-emergent product. This can be accomplished with a house or with natural moisture, such as a snowstorm.  

 

 

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 identify it and help you determine the best solution to control it.