Of all of the weeds in the world, crabgrass has the worst reputation. We think that’s because it’s so wide spread and difficult to get rid of. Crabgrass grows in almost every turf and landscape setting. It’s a very tough plant, but like the rest of us, crabgrass appreciates easy living. So if there’s a lawn that’s lush, well watered, and full of nutrition, crabgrass will be right there, enjoying itself.
And crabgrass is unabashedly ugly. It will stretch right up in the middle of your perfectly mowed lawn, standing out like a sore thumb. Diligent gardeners and homeowners who are trying to present an elegant appearance can spend hours pulling crabgrass out by hand – but this persistent weed will just keep coming back.
That’s because crabgrass has an extremely prolific growth habit. A single crabgrass plant can produce hundreds of thousands of seeds. And crabgrass is adaptable. Mowing your yard short won’t stop crabgrass – it’s been shown to set seed at just ½” tall. Crabgrass is drought and heat tolerant, and will grow rapidly during the hottest part of summer when most grasses suffer.
What can be done about crabgrass? This is where you want to coordinate with your local lawn service. Crabgrass is controlled with pre-emergent weed control, which means treating the yard and stopping crabgrass before it grows. Pre-emergent weed control also eliminates many broad-leafed weeds, as well as purslane. Your local lawn service provides pre-emergent weed control with family and pet safe products. In our region, typically pre-emergent weed control is required two to four times annually.
Also, if crabgrass is a problem in your yard, you may want to hold off on mid-summer fertilization. Eliminate the competitive advantage crabgrass has during the hottest part of the year by mowing your grass a little long – two and a half to three inches is ideal. This shades the ground and makes it slightly cooler, which can slow crabgrass germination.
