Crabgrass
A persistent and quick-spreading weed
Crabgrass is a coarse weed that has yellow or green grass blades. In addition to looking bad, it’s also bad for your turf’s health. This is because crabgrass quickly spreads and outcompetes your existing grass for limited nutrients. A small patch can rapidly spread across your entire lawn and into your garden and flower beds.
Crabgrass thrives in warmer temperatures; because of this need for warmth you’ll often first see it appear along the edges of a sidewalk, curb, paved pathway or your driveway.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
With crabgrass, the age old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” rings true. The best defense against crabgrass and other weeds is a healthy lawn. Unwanted grasses will find it difficult to thrive in a lawn full of healthy, robust grass. Yard Smart can help you with advice and assistance to get your lawn to its healthiest state and best prevent crabgrass and other unwanted weeds.
In addition to healthy lawn practices, pre-emergent herbicides are recommended to control germinating weed seeds like crabgrass that have not yet emerged from the soil. To be effective, we usually advise that a herbicide is applied in spring (i.e. mid-April) before this germination typically begins. Timing is crucial and the experts at Yard Smart will make sure the soil temperature is just right to ensure success. Most pre-emergent herbicides work best when soil temperatures are 10 degrees Celsius.
Dealing with existing crabgrass
If you’ve missed the window to apply a pre-emergent herbicide and have crabgrass, we can help. As mentioned above, the best defense against crabgrass is still a healthy lawn. We’ll work with you to give you healthy grass that has the best chance of outcompeting your crabgrass.
One option is to root out the crabgrass by hand, though this can be time consuming and can be a large undertaking depending on the size of your yard. We’d love to save you the work and explain the many options we can provide depending on your specific situation, including permitted herbicides or other techniques. Contact us today for your free, no obligation estimate.
Work with us and say goodbye to crabgrass
At Yard Smart, we never cut corners so that we can guarantee you’ll love the results every time. When you hire one of our experts, you’re in the hands of professionals who are knowledgeable and experienced in their craft. We bring a wealth of experience working with many different types of weeds and lawn care issues. You take pride in the appearance of your property, and we take pride in making that our guarantee.
FAQ
Everything about crabgrass
How can I tell if my lawn has crabgrass?
Crabgrass looks like regular grass but with a more coarse texture and a bright green and sometimes yellow colour. It has wide, pointed blades that grow from a shared stem. Crabgrass is often found along sidewalks and driveways as it prefers warm, sunny locations.
How much will it cost me to get rid of crabgrass?
There is no easy answer to this, as it depends on the size of your lawn, the extent of the problem and our recommended course of action. Our course of action could include pre- or post-emergent herbicides, other suggested lawn maintenance techniques or manual removal. Contact us today and we can provide you with a free, no obligation quote.
What kills crabgrass but not grass?
The best defence against crabgrass is keeping your existing grass as healthy as possible so it has the best chance of outcompeting weeds. A pre-emergent herbicide is also recommended in spring to combat crabgrass, but it will only work before crabgrass seedlings emerge through the soil so timing is critical.
If the crabgrass seeds are already germinated, there are certain post-emergent herbicides which may work or we may recommend alternatives including a lawn maintenance plan or pulling out the crabgrass manually.
When should a pre-emergent herbicide be used?
A herbicide should be applied in spring (i.e. mid-April) before crabgrass germination typically begins. Timing is crucial and the experts at Yard Smart will make sure the soil temperature is just right to ensure success. Most pre-emergent herbicides work best when soil temperatures are 10 degrees Celsius.
Does crabgrass die in winter?
Yes, crabgrass is an annual plant and does die in winter. However, its seeds can remain dormant in the ground and sprout again in spring, which is why using a pre-emergent herbicide in mid-April is highly recommended.