Crack Down on Crabgrass
Did you have a crabgrass problem last year? Hopefully, you licked it. But did you know that one single crabgrass plant that makes it through fall can give off 100,000 crabgrass seeds in spring? It’s true! So, if you’re not so sure you beat this beast last autumn, now is the time to spring into action.
- What is crabgrass? This lawn thug got its name from the crab-shaped rosette leaves it sports. Seed heads pop up in the fall, and the stems will keep on spreading until you stop ’em. It targets close-cropped lawns, bare spots, and thinning grass areas. By fall, a crabgrass-contaminated lawn will be a sickly, brownish-red color.
- Stop Those Seeds! Before the temps in your area reach 60ºF, treat your lawn with a pre-emergent herbicide to stop it before it starts. Once the weather warms, the crabgrass seeds will germinate and spread like wildfire. If you’ve waited too long this spring, just hold off until next spring, or you’ll just be throwing chemicals on your lawn that won’t do it any good.
- In The Meantime... Even if you missed the pre-emergent boat, you can still control that crabby crop. Mow a bit higher and make sure you fertilize and water your lawn appropriately. Remember—crabgrass hates the challenge it gets from a healthy, lush lawn. Thick turf shades the seeds so they can’t sprout. Then, bide your time, and after the plants go to seed, zap ’em with that pre-emergent control!