Helpful Tips to Control Crabgrass

Crabgrass is a common weed that can quickly take over a lawn and ruin its appearance. This pesky weed can grow in almost any soil type and thrives in hot, dry weather conditions. If you’re struggling to keep crabgrass under control, you’re not alone. Here are some tips on how to stop crabgrass from taking over your lawn.

Keep Your Lawn Healthy
One of the most important things you can do to prevent crabgrass is to keep your lawn healthy. A healthy lawn can outcompete the weed and prevent it from growing. Regular mowing, watering, and fertilizing can help keep your lawn healthy and strong.

Use Pre-Emergent Herbicides
Pre-emergent herbicides are products that you apply to your lawn before the crabgrass seeds germinate. These herbicides create a barrier that prevents the seeds from sprouting. It’s important to apply pre-emergent herbicides before the crabgrass seeds germinate, which typically happens in the spring.

Proper Timing
Timing is key when it comes to controlling crabgrass. Applying pre-emergent herbicides too early or too late can be ineffective. In general, it’s best to apply pre-emergent herbicides when the soil temperature reaches around 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a soil thermometer to check the temperature of your soil.

Post-Emergent Herbicides
If you already have crabgrass in your lawn, post-emergent herbicides can help kill the weed. These herbicides are designed to kill crabgrass that has already sprouted. It’s important to choose a post-emergent herbicide that’s labeled for crabgrass control and to follow the instructions carefully.

Hand-Pull Crabgrass
If you only have a few patches of crabgrass, you can hand-pull them to remove them from your lawn. It’s important to remove the entire plant, including the roots, to prevent it from growing back.

Improve Soil Quality
Crabgrass tends to thrive in poor soil conditions. By improving the quality of your soil, you can make it less hospitable to weeds. Adding organic matter, such as compost or manure, can improve soil quality and help your lawn grow stronger.

Reduce Thatch
Thatch is a layer of dead grass and other organic material that accumulates on the soil surface. It can prevent water and nutrients from reaching the roots of your lawn. Removing thatch can help improve soil quality and prevent crabgrass from growing.

Stopping crabgrass requires a combination of preventative measures and active management. By keeping your lawn healthy, using pre-emergent herbicides, and applying post-emergent herbicides, you can keep crabgrass under control. With patience and persistence, you can have a healthy, weed-free lawn.

Here are some additional articles from those in the business :

How to Get Rid of Crabgrass (Home Depot)