How to get rid of crabgrass without damaging your lawn
At this time of year, the crabgrass rears its ugly head over countless lawns. This is why so many of us are frantically googling how to get rid of crabgrass right now. Crabgrass Essential looks like an unkempt patch of grass with culms that spread out in different directions to resemble a crab. It is an annual weed that can be quite problematic to remove from lawns and patios, much like dandelion.
Not only will these plants survive, but they will thrive in hot and dry climates, making them a nuisance despite the heat waves. On top of that, crabgrass is bad news for your lawn – it will weaken and limit the nutrients your grass is receiving, resulting in stunted growth. Plus, if left unchecked, crabgrass will disperse its seed before finally dying in the fall, so you could end up with the same problem next year. But don’t worry – here we show you step by step how to get rid of crabgrass while leaving your precious lawn intact.
If your lawn has seen better days, take a look how to revive dead grass and read about those is the best time to water your lawn, according to experts.
1. Pull the weeds manually
what you will need
• Weed cutter
• Gardening gloves
• Post-emergence herbicide
• Pre-emergence herbicide
If you’re only dealing with a few sporadic clumps of crabgrass, you can use a special tool like Grampas Weeder ($39.99, Amazon (opens in new tab)). This will remove any weed with a single movement. While this method works well for small, immature sections of crabgrass, which you should pluck out as soon as you see them, use caution if your crabgrass is well established.
If you’re trying to remove a large clump of crabgrass with a hand tool, you might also be able to pull out a chunk of your lawn with it, thanks to the deep root system. Additionally, if your crabgrass has visible seeds that are going to disperse, you could do more harm than good as the seeds will likely fall into the hole you just made and germinate.
If your finger millet is likely to do some damage when removed, use a chemical treatment instead as mentioned in step two. If the seeds are already exposed, there’s not much point in removing the weeds as you’ll only make the problem worse. In this case, it is better to let it die back naturally in the fall and then treat the soil in the spring, as outlined in step three.
Make sure you seal any weeds you pull out in a trash bag – the seeds can spread and grow from here too.
2. Chemical treatment
This is another popular method of controlling crabgrass and other weeds and is ideal for widespread growth. Post-emergence herbicides are typically sprayed directly onto the crabgrass itself and not over the entire lawn.
There is a huge range of treatments available at most department stores, but when choosing one make sure it is safe to use on your lawn. You can do this by checking the label and ingredient list. We recommend Scott’s TouchUp Weed Control for your lawn ($22.49, Amazon (opens in new tab)).
This method is ideal if you don’t want to damage your lawn when pulling up crabgrass. However, do not apply it when the grass is already sown. By the time the herbicide takes effect, the seeds have already been scattered and the treatment is wasted.
3. Apply a pre-emergence herbicide
If you want to prevent such a widespread problem next year, you can apply a pre-emergence herbicide with a spreader in the spring. Also known as a crabgrass preventer, this prevents any seeds from germinating when the time comes and ultimately prevents crabgrass from growing. Remember, you shouldn’t bother trying grow grass seed if you use a pre-emergent herbicide – most types will also prevent those seeds from germinating. In this case, stick to summer or fall for overseeding.
There are a number of pre-emergent herbicides available at most department stores such as: B. The Anderson’s Barricade Professional-Grade Granular Pre-emergent Weed Control ($73.88, Amazon (opens in new tab)). However, keep in mind that the key to success is applying it at the right time and being persistent when reapplying is required.
You should apply a pre-emergence herbicide in spring when the soil is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and the flowers are in full bloom. You can use it as a guide when your lawn is mowed for the second time in the spring. Keep in mind that heavy crabgrass growth may require more than one application. Check the herbicide’s label to confirm its shelf life if you think this might be the case. Remember, you don’t have to apply it to the entire lawn – only to the hotspots of crabgrass.
If you want to use a natural alternative, cornmeal gluten is another option. This will slow down the growth of crabgrass and other weeds. However, it is not as powerful as a chemical application and it can be an expensive method.
You can top up your application by purchasing fertilizer that also contains pre-emergence herbicides. This way you can keep using it while promoting the health and growth of your lawn. These aren’t as widely available, but they can still be found – such as The Anderson’s Dimension Pre-Emergent Weed Control with Fertilizer ($74.88, Amazon (opens in new tab)).
4. Keep your lawn healthy
Finally, if you want to keep crabgrass at bay, it’s imperative that you keep your lawn as healthy as possible. First, make sure your weed is watered and fertilized regularly, it has access to sufficient nutrients. This promotes a thick and strong turf that makes crabgrass less likely to invade. It’s a good idea too Aerate your lawn also for the same reason.
Also, make sure you mow at the optimal height. Use the higher setting on your mower and try to keep your grass at a height of three inches. In this way, the blades of grass create more shadow over the ground, which discourages the growth of crabgrass seeds. Any clippings can be left behind as natural fertilizer as well as additional shade.
Remember to cover any bare patches on your lawn with fresh grass seed, otherwise you’ll just leave room for more cindergrass.
For more lawn tips, tricks and how-to’s, check out our guides to planting grass seed, greening your lawn, striping your lawn, laying lawns, the 7 most common lawn care mistakes you’re probably making now and 7 ways to revive dead grass .