A beautiful lawn is the goal of most homeowners, but weeds can get in the way. Of all the unwelcome plants that can invade a lawn, crabgrass is the most common and bothersome. To overcome this competitive plant, here are some tips and facts about crabgrass.

What is Crabgrass?

Crabgrass (digitaria sanguinalis) is an annual weed with broad blades that are coarse, pointed and short. It doesn’t blend in with lawn grasses in color, habit or texture and can be very competitive, often overtaking a lawn if left unchecked.

Crabgrass is highly adaptable. It prefers full sun exposure, but will grow even where the soil is nutrient poor, dry and compacted.

How does it spread?

The answer is simple: seeds! As this weed develops during the summer, it leaves plenty of seeds before it dies in the fall. Most often the seeds are spread by birds. Borrowing unclean lawn mowers is another common way of introducing crabgrass into your lawn. Many plants can develop from a single seed in just one season.

How can you get rid of it?

• Prevent it from growing: Apply a pre-emergent in the spring when soil temperature is around 50 degrees and crabgrass begins to germinate. Look for blooming forsythia plants as an indicator that it’s time to apply a crabgrass preventer.

• Types of pre-emergents to use: Synthetic formulas include Scotts Halts, Scotts Turf Builder Plus Halts, Scotts Step 1 of the season-long lawn care program, or Jonathan Green Crabgrass Preventer plus Greenup.For an organic solution, use Espoma Organic Weed Preventer, which is corn gluten. Organic preventers typically take three or more seasons with two applications to build up full effectiveness. If you plan to reseed or lay new sod this spring, use Scotts Step 1 for Seeding.

• Leave it alone: Once applied, the pre-emergent will work by creating a barrier that stunts the development of crabgrass. Thatching, power raking or aerating the lawn will break this barrier, so do this maintenance before applying the treatment.

• A second chance: There are post-emergent treatments available if you miss your opportunity to apply a preventer. To eliminate most mature crabgrass plants, use Bayer Crabgrass Killer for Lawns, Jonathan Green Crabgrass Preventer Plus Green Up or Ortho Weed B Gon Max + Crabgrass Killer. Otherwise, dig out large, mature clumps of crabgrass and reseed or sod the bare spots left behind.

• Common crabgrass impersonator: If you’re seeing large, grassy weeds in May or June, they probably aren’t crabgrass. You generally won’t notice crabgrass plants until well into the middle of summer. What you’re seeing earlier in the year may be an annual bluegrass or Quack Grass. Prevent annual bluegrass by applying a pre-emergent in the fall, around mid-September, or spot treat in the spring with Ortho Nutsedge Killer.
  See our Garden Pharmacy experts for the best methods to eliminate Quack Grass.

• Take the extra measure: Remember, just because you didn’t have crabgrass last year, doesn’t mean you won’t get it this year. Seeds are likely to travel to your lawn, so take measures annually to keep your lawn looking great.

For more expert tips about crabgrass, visit the Garden Pharmacy at any English Gardens store.   If you’re unsure which weed you’re dealing with, bring in a sample and our experts will give you a positive identification and the best option for control.