Crabgrass is an invasive, grassy weed that haunts almost every lawn in New England. It’s an annual plant that lives its entire life cycle in the summer. It’s tough to control because it grows when/where grass struggles. In other words: it flourishes in the summer months in areas where grass is either dormant or sparse and especially along pavement and hardscapes. Sidewalks and driveways made of gravel, concrete or asphalt that get a lot of sunlight tend to store and radiate heat. This scorches grass roots nearby, but creates the perfect environment for crabgrass. It also thrives in any other hot area of your lawn that has full sun and dry soil.
The best way to combat crabgrass is to prevent it. Lawn Doctor applies two doses of crabgrass pre-emergent every spring. Regular fertilizer treatments after the pre-emergent keep grass healthy and strong to continue fighting off crabgrass. Homeowners should do their part in preventing crabgrass too, like minimizing summer stress by mowing high and watering properly. The stronger and healthier your lawn is, the more difficult it will be for crabgrass to have room to grow. Also consider seeding bare or thin areas of the lawn in the fall because crabgrass is less likely to penetrate through thick, full turf.
If, despite all of these steps, crabgrass still peaks through, post-emergent sprays can help control it. Most importantly, rest assured knowing that it’ll recede on its own when the weather cools down, usually in September.
