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Preventing the Dreaded Crabgrass Takeover

Fighting a losing battle with crabgrass? Crabgrass is one of those unwanted annual intruders that can make even the healthiest lawn look un-manicured and sloppy. The reason why it is so difficult to eliminate crabgrass is that it grows all season by producing seeds that will also germinate next spring. Only regular application of weed control treatments can rid your lawn of this problem. Ignoring it or just mowing over it can result in this weed completely taking over your grass. If you notice extra crabgrass this season, there is nothing to worry about! GREENSKEEPER‘s lawn care maintenance strategies will help reclaim your yard.

What is Crabgrass?

Crabgrass is an annual grass weed that can spread thousands of seeds in a single lifespan. The weed is tough, aggressive, and tends to thrive on more stressed areas of the lawn. If any area of your yard has sun damage, thin patches, or dryness, you may notice that crabgrass is more abundant in those areas. Luckily, there are ways to rid your lawn of crabgrass. Even if the crabgrass is worse than usual this year, that doesn’t mean you must endure this unsightly weed in your yard.

How to Get Rid of the Crabgrass on Your Lawn

  • Bring in the Lawn Care Pros:  Never leave any space for crabgrass to move in. A thick, plush lawn that is healthy throughout the warm season will discourage crabgrass getting a foothold in your yard. That means mowing your lawn at the right height and watering deep.
  • Use a Pre-Emergent Weed Control:  Timing is critical!  Prevent the formation and germination of crabgrass with the application of a granular pre-emergent treatment material – ideally after the second mowing of the season. Do it too early and the material may lose potency in the soil before it can be fully effective. If done too late, it may miss the stage to prevent seed germination. Remember, you should not seed at the same time you apply weed control treatment.
  • Pull It Out:  Remove crabgrass from the root whenever you see it growing but first check for fork-like formations that indicate seeds. If seeds are present, spot treatment with a non-residual post-emergent material is a better idea. Yanking it out would only scatter the seeds and encourage more growth. Also pull out dead crabgrass as it releases a toxin that can kill grass and other plants.
  • Apply a Post-Emergent Weed Control:  Once crabgrass is allowed to sprout it rapidly produces seeds, allowing more plants to spread throughout your grass. Eradicate it with a non-residual post-emergent weed control when it is 3-4 inches high. These applications are usually most effective when the soil is moist. It will continue to thrive if you do not keep up with lawn maintenance and reapply the post-emergent as soon as new crabgrass pops up.

Don’t Let Crabgrass Take Over Your Yard This Spring!

The professional lawn care team at GREENSKEEPER will give your lawn the care and attention it requires. Our lawn care and maintenance services are customized to your needs and budget, helping your lawn to be the best it can be. Regularly scheduled DELUXE Service Program or ECONOMY Service Plan utilize the best pre-emergent and post-emergent weed control formulas to eradicate crabgrass and other lawn offenders. With over 50 years in business, our expert team knows how to handle any and all common pests found on Pennsylvania lawns!

Why not free up your time to do the things you really like and enjoy a healthy and well-manicured lawn at the same time? Our team knows exactly what products your lawn needs, when and how to apply them. That means no guess work – and no potential mistakes for you.