Bid those weeds adieu with these easy tips.
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Crabgrass, orDigitaria, is a headache for homeowners across the country.
And because of its slightly shrubby appearance, it canharbor more pests.
Photo:Yesim Sahin/Getty Images
In general though, both are fairly similar in appearance and are opportunistic weeds that germinate almost anywhere.
Apply pre-emergent herbicide before the crabgrass takes root.
The first week of March is typically suggested for most regions.
Smooth crabgrass.
Keep your lawn longerbut mow it regularly.
This all means mowing is hugely important here.
Keeping your lawn too short increases the chances of germination and crabgrass establishment.
Hairy crabgrass.
Water thoroughly every week.
This is an easy rule to follow: Just water deeply once a week.
Daily, light irrigations promote shallow rooting, non-drought hardy turf, and encourage crabgrass, says Dr. Patton.
Stultz adds, I cant stress enough theimportance of a regular watering schedulefor your yard.
Apply fertilizers to keep your lawn healthy.
A healthy, green lawn leaves little room for crabgrass to take root.
Actively growing turf will crowd out new seedlings because at that stage, theyre not very competitive.
Skip doing this in the summer, which may increase crabgrass vigor.
Mulch your garden beds.
you might use wood chips or nuggets or composted waste.
(Although note that crabgrass actually still germinates in the mulch!
Move it around with a rake to reduce seedling establishment.)
Overseed and patch up your lawn.
Bare spots are an invitation for crabgrass or other weeds to take root.
The best way to get rid of crabgrass is chemical treatments.
And do not throw out your weeds in the compostthey could sprout there!
Check your local laws first, but tossing them in the trash is ideal.
Severe cases should be handled by pros to help root out the problem.
and it is extremely important to follow label instructions.
In terms of active ingredients, according to him, Quinclorac is safest forturfgrass seedlings.
Dont apply herbicides on a rainy day, as the rainfall may wash away the product too quickly.
Just temper your expectations for speed of results when going the organic treatment route.
Unfortunately, crabgrass is quite stubborn and requires heavy-duty herbicides.
(Just dont hold your breath!)
You might need to do this multiple times to truly destroy the crabgrass.
Vinegar
Douse the crabgrass with vinegar.
If you do this several times, the plant shouldnt be able to withstand the acidity.
Theoretically, itll destroy the crabgrass down to the root.
However, theUniversity of Maryland Extension says research datashows mixed results in its effectiveness.
