Control Crabgrass Not By Calendar Alone

It’s a delayed spring weather-wise throughout Montgomery and Chester Counties this year.  From Abington to Pottstown, the cool weather has slowed the spring green-up in turf as well as delayed the germination of weeds, such as dandelions.  This also opens the window for wider timing with your application of pre-emergent crabgrass control.

                Crabgrass doesn’t have a calendar, it will germinate in mid-late May based upon soil temperature.  Properly timed application of a pre-emergent crabgrass control will help reduce the likelihood of breakthrough later this summer.  Furthermore, the product the professionals at Weed Man plan to use includes a post emergent crabgrass control as well for better control of small, germinated crabgrass that conventional pre-emergent products will not control.

Crabgrass early after germination will quickly fill in thin spots in open sun

                Here are some additional tips:

• Crabgrass is very difficult to identify early in spring since only plant skeletons are present at this time.
• Crabgrass is best identified in summer or fall for control in fall or the following spring.
• Crabgrass cannot be controlled with broadleaf weed control products.
• Crabgrass favors sandy, sunny locations in a weakened condition. Areas damaged by insects or along sidewalks and driveways are prime targets for crabgrass attack.
• A strong, healthy, properly fertilized, mowed and watered lawn provides the strongest defense against crabgrass. Thick, lush, insect and weed-free lawns allow few open sites for crabgrass to establish.