The Dreaded Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis)
This aggressive weed is an annual grassy weed that seeds itself in the late summer early fall and germinates the following spring when the soil temperature reaches a consistent 55 degree mark. Each crabgrass plant can produce 150,000 seeds. Seeds can remain dormant for more than one season.
Crabgrass grows anywhere there is bare soil, water and sun. It thrives under close mowing and prefers open areas with thin turf grass. It withstands hot weather and dry soil throughout its lifecycle. Crabgrass does not do well in shaded areas. It dies off with the cold temperatures.
If not addressed in the spring, crabgrass will take over, crowd out your grass and result in bare spots throughout the area of your lawn it has infested.
This light green, bunch-type grass features seed head spikelets in two to nine fingerlike branches along the stalk.
So how do you get crabgrass under control?
Get rid of the crabgrass you have and prevent future germination in your lawn.
Begin with a comprehensive turf program for your lawn that includes balanced fertilizer applications, pre-emergent herbicide application and post-emergent crabgrass application. Added organic supplement applications are recommended as they release beneficial bacteria, microbes and fungi into the soil and helps turf use the products more effectively and efficiently.
The comprehensive turf program will result in a thick, healthy lawn that provides shade for the soil and prevents crabgrass seeds from germinating.
The lawn applications alone are not the solution. Good agronomic practices also play an integral part in the control of crabgrass. As a rule, the mow height should be at 3 inches to keep the grass blades strong and healthy.
Turf Program to Combat Crabgrass
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Balanced Fertilizer
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Pre-emergent
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Post-emergent
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Organic Supplement
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Correct pH in soil-Liming
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Mow height 3 in.