Posted by: The Team
on Oct 15, 2010
Crabgrass is one of the most common weeds found in lawns. It is appropriately named, as it often grows low to the ground, spreading outward resembling a crab. It is an “annual” weed which means that it grows each year from germinating seeds, completes its life cycle by the end of the season producing more seeds, then dies. This weed is so prolific that just one plant can produce up to 150,000 seeds!
You can control crabgrass by preventing seed formation or seed germination. Seeds begin germinating in the spring when soil temperatures reach at least 55 to 60 degrees for anywhere from 3 to 10 consecutive days.
Pre-emergent herbicides are commonly used for the control of crabgrass seed germination. These are often combined with lawn fertilizers so that both can be applied at once.
If you still get weeds in spite of your best efforts, consider hand pulling if there are only a few. If the weed infestation is high (over 40 percent), or there are many bare spots, you may need to consider a complete lawn renovation.
