Crabgrass is one of those stubborn weeds that grow throughout all seasons (from April to November) in both cool and warm weather conditions. This makes it a big problem for homeowners who want to grow green and lush lawns.
However, by knowing how crabgrass grows and a few useful tips on preventing it from invading your lawn, you can successfully get rid of this weed without professional help.
Crabgrass is a common invader of lawns whose seeds germinate during the spring and summer months. Once the temperature reaches 55-60 degrees, the germination process occurs. The ungerminated seeds are latent and can wait for up to 30 years before germinating, and considering the fact that one crabgrass plant can produce more than 150,000 seeds, you can see why controlling this weed is so tricky.
Crabgrass is a type of weed that prefers compacted and sandy soil where the grass is in poor condition. Thin and weakened lawns allow sun rays to hit deep into the ground, which is a thriving environment for crabgrass to sprout. It also likes when the yard has excess water and enough phosphorus to germinate even faster.
When it comes to controlling crabgrass in your lawn, timing is key. If you wait too long, crabgrass will develop its roots, and you will have a harder time controlling it. The minute you notice the weed in your lawn, prepare to take action.
Before we get down to the best ways of preventing crabgrass from invading your lawn, let’s talk about what this weed looks like?
Identifying crabgrass is not easy because of the different looks it can claim. It is a type of weed with various faces due to its power to adapt to many environments. There are smooth, hairy, long, short, Southern, and Asian crabgrass varieties, and here is how to spot them:
Now that you know how to separate crabgrass weed from your healthy turf, here are three effective ways of controlling it.
If you want to control crabgrass, the best thing you can do is react on time, early in the season. During or after the second mowing, use a crabgrass control solution (also known as preventer or pre-emergent) to stop the weed from growing and expanding further on your lawn.
Most homeowners choose a pre-emergent with fertilizer in it. Whatever you decide to use, ensure you select one that includes time-release nitrogen to prevent damaging your beautiful hard. If you don’t know when to use pre-emergent, we advise you to consult with your local lawn care professional. Asking someone who has experience with pre-emergent and knows how to deal with crabgrass goes a long way towards enjoying a healthy and green lawn.
Overseeding is one of the homeowner’s favorite methods for eliminating crabgrass. It is a simple method of planting seeds into the existing grass without the standard preparation procedures.
The final result is a thick and lush green lawn with enriched soil. But, how does this control weeds? Well, the thick lawn chokes out any weeds invading the grass, thus destroying it naturally. Also, an overseeded and healthy lawn prevents weeds from sprouting, preventing it from growing and spreading on the entire property.
Professionals recommend overseeding your lawn in early spring or fall, allowing the turf to germinate before crabgrass attacks in the late spring when the temperatures start rising.
No weed can beat a thick and healthy lawn. Even though crabgrass is one of the most stubborn weeds, it still struggles to outgrow a dense turf, rich with nutrients. If there are any signs for crabgrass seeds sprouting in the soil, you can suffocate them with a thick lawn.
However, growing a green and healthy lawn is not that easy. Here are a few tips that can speed up the process:
You did everything you could, but crabgrass keeps growing. It is a common problem among homeowners, but luckily, there are techniques for getting rid of this weed for good.
The best way to get rid of crabgrass and any other type of weed is to dig them out. If you want to try a safer method, you can also eliminate crabgrass by using chemical or organic methods.
