Of all the different lawn care topics, “crab control” remains one of the most searched topics on the Internet. It’s also one that owners frequently ask us about.
Crabgrass is a major source of frustration due to its prevalence and ability to spread like wildfire in lawns. But Understanding what you’re up against will help set you up for success. to combat this weed.
That’s why we answer all your common questions and share everything you need to know.
Jump to:
What does the crab look like?
Why is crab so problematic?
When does the crab die?
How to get rid of crab?
How to prevent crab?
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Dealing with crabgrass starts with knowing what grows in your lawn. Most people know how to identify the crab, but there There are many weeds, some that look alike, That can throw people off.
The crab is a light green or even yellowish grass that grows in thick bushes. Its extensive growth pattern along with its bright color makes it stand out like a sore thumb on a healthy lawn. The name “crabgrass” comes from thick leaves growing outward from the center, similar to crab legs.
Dallisgrass is another weed that is often confused with crabgrass. This video can help you understand the differences. To sum up, Dallisgrass has a thicker leaf and a seed head that resembles a zipper. It also starts growing on grass earlier in the season than crabgrass.
The main reason why crab is so problematic is that spreads quickly on grass, quickly overtaking empty spots. If given the chance to spread rampant, it can begin to choke out healthy grass.
This annual weed is a prolific seed creator. Just a a single plant can produce up to 75,000 seeds which remained dormant in the soil until the ideal time for germination in late spring. As the weed continues to spread during the summer, it begins to spread your grass into large, dense mats across your lawn.
Crabgrass requires very little care to grow and thrive and can therefore begin to choke out your desired lawn in a short time if left untreated. Crabgrass also likes heat. and will often appear strongly in vulnerable areas of your lawn, such as along driveways and walkways, where grass often struggles during the summer.
The crab will die with the first frost of the season. It is a weed that loves warm weather and is an annual plant, so It doesn’t stick around when conditions turn cold.
But that doesn’t mean it’s gone forever. Crabgrass has already been seeding like crazy. As we mentioned, a single crab plant can produce 75,000 seeds in one growing season. Since it is an annual weed, those The seeds allow you to keep coming back and start the cycle again next season.
The seeds that crabgrass has left during its growing season hide in the soil and will sprout next year, so You will need a ready-made crab control strategy. for the next season.
This is the million dollar question that everyone wants to know. Against such a prolific weed, How can you effectively get rid of crab in your lawn?
The most effective control strategy for crabgrass is one that is multifaceted with different approaches depending on the time of year it is. Let’s dive in.
What is the best time to treat crab?
Knowing when to spray crabgrass is essential to success in controlling this weed. Believe it or not, the best time to treat crab is before it germinates.
This involves the use of pre-emergent crab.
Crabgrass pre-emergent products work creating a barrier that renders crabgrass seeds inert so they can’t germinate in the first place. Therefore, the perfect time for these products is obviously BEFORE the germination period. crab grass begins to germinate when soil temperature reaches approximately 55 degrees and exactly when that happens can vary from year to year.
In general terms, We use April 20 as a guide. like when we normally expect to get our first round of crab preventive.
It is important to recognize that although mid or late April is when crabgrass germinates, you will rarely see it above the surface before May. If you see a weed growing in your garden before then, it is not crab. It could be Johnson grass or Dallisgrass.
Of course, you may be reading this and April 20 has already passed. Now you may be wondering if it’s too late to kill the crab because you missed that first round of pre-emergent.
The good news is that We can still apply a pre-emergent product because not all the crab germinates at once. The bad news is that some of the grass will have germinated and the preventer will do nothing with those weeds.
However, we can use crabgrass post-emergent products on any that move forward.
In fact, even if you had pre-emergent applications in time, we will still use post-emergent products to make progress (although there won’t be as many of them). The pre-emergent will take care of most of the crabgrass, but there is always some persistent creep.
How to get rid of crab in summer?
What if you’ve missed your chance to control crab in the spring? If June has already arrived and you have not done anything to prevent crab, It is very possible that it is proliferating in your lawn. If that is the case, you will have to deal exclusively with post-emergent crabgrass controls.
We will be perfectly honest that This may cost more money since these products are more expensive. than preventative products. But if you don’t want to have to live with a crab-filled lawn all summer, you have options and we’ll discuss them honestly with you.
Some people may hear that and assume that there is no point in signing up for a lawn care program in the summer, but that is not the case at all. We can still start taking steps toward a healthier lawn. One of the best defenses against crabgrass is a thick, healthy lawn, so you want to start taking steps to produce great results with professional lawn care.
There are also other issues to address in the summer as part of a comprehensive lawn care program. Broadleaf weeds, nutsedge, and insects are other items that need attention.
In addition to using pre-emergent crabgrass products that will prevent 80-85% of germination, You’ll also want to take steps on your own to reduce crabgrass in your lawn.
These are some of our best recommendations:
- Cut grass to 3.5 inches height or higher
- Water your lawn in summer to prevent the grass from becoming weak and thin
- Don’t scalp the edges of your walkways or driveways when trimming
- Maintain a thick lawn with lawn care program that promotes soil health
- Aerate and seed thinner lawn areas. in the fall to fill them with grass
But most importantly, you should work closely with your professional lawn care provider to get the best results.
At Oasis Turf & Tree, we go above and beyond when it comes to crabgrass control, just as we do in the other areas of our lawn care program. In fact, Our overall approach to lawn care has a big impact on crab prevention. first of all.
Because we focus on soil health and truly care about your lawn being in the best shape possible, crabgrass growth will naturally be stunted. A thick, healthy lawn is the best defense against invasive weeds like crabgrass.
Between our focus on soil health, our proactive approach using a crab preventative, and our constant attention to your lawn to make progress with the spot treatments needed in the summer, Crabgrass really has no chance of surviving. on an Oasis lawn.
If you are looking to control crabgrass in your Cincinnati, Dayton, OH, or Northern Kentucky lawn, be sure to contact us or call us at 513-697-9090.
