Weeds like crabgrass that usually surface annually can be especially tough to get rid of. To make troubles less bothersome, let me walk to through the way of recognizing and how to prevent crabgrass in your lawn to begin with. They are a common type of weed and can even show up on lawns with good health. Thus ensuring the best lawn health through regular mowing, fertilization, pre-emergent herbicides etc. will keep these invasive weeds away year-round.

What does crabgrass look like?

The height of crabgrass lies low spreading out flat over the surface of the ground in a star shaped like pattern. It’s name refers to its many tough leg like stems strongly grown into the ground. It’s ability to adapt to various environment surroundings and take on a variation of forms can make them difficult to recognize. Due to their low-lying structure and strength they can be seen growing alongside lawns, driveway cracks and crevices easily escaping the lawn mower. Growing crabgrass can be a little tricky to recognize as they seem to blend in quite seamlessly with lawn grass. However, the mature leaves are more easily noticeable in your lawn with their smooth wide leaf blades and a fold line running down the center. Here is a guide to identifying their different physical forms.

Using pre-emergent herbicides

Perhaps you’ve noticed crabgrass surfacing on your lawn now with the warmer days coming in as summer is the ideal season for them to grow and spread quickly. Half way through summer and the early autumn months, crabgrass plants generate seeds which stay dormant throughout the cold winter. As the warmer season draws in, the temperature of the ground rises and the seeds start to germinate. Using pre-emergent herbicides on your lawn in between winter and spring will kill off the dormant seeds and stop them from germinating. Also note that if the area of your home has weather patterns that include warm night and frequent rainfall, you’ll have to apply the herbicides in the right time as this is the perfect weather for them to grow.

Using post-emergent herbicides

If crabgrass is already present on your lawn the pre-emergent herbicides will be of no use. You will need post-emergent herbicides that will kill off the newly germinated seeds and the mature blades of these unwanted weeds. They work by forming a preventive layer on the surface of your lawn. Such herbicides are best used during high temperatures as it allows the plant to soak them in more quickly. Avoid application during chilly dry days for effective results. Watering the lawn deeply but less frequently will prevent crabgrass as it will cause the weeds with shorter roots systems to dry out and die off quickly. Be sure to use herbicides that will target the crabgrass, killing them thoroughly while leaving the lawn grass unaffected and safe from any damage.

Fertilizing your lawn

It is important that you fertilize your lawn regularly for the prevention of such weeds. Fertilization will boost lawn health preventing all sorts of weed especially tough ones like crabgrass from invading the growth and aesthetic appeal of your turf. Once you grasp the growth cycle of these weeds you’ll be able to implement the correct methods during the right time to prevent crabgrass in your lawn.

At Quiet Lawn, we device our 7 Step Weed Control & Fertilization program to prevent weeds like crabgrass away from your lawn. Pre-emergent & post-emergents are put down in the first two applications to prevent crabgrass from sprouting in the warmer months.

If you are looking for weed control and fertilization program services in Longs, SC be sure to give us a call at 843-779-8873. You could also leave a comment below to set your appointment! We are locals, taking care of lawns in Little River, Longs and North Myrtle Beach area is second nature to us.

We provide convenient payment methods for you to choose from! If you’re on a fixed income – we provide options for you to pay us in equal monthly installments. Or you can choose to keep things simple and choose our Pay As You Go method

Additionally, our team employs necessary sanitation and safety measures while conducting treatments during the Covid-19 pandemic to provide a risk free and safe service experience