Crabgrass in lawn

[vtb]

I have a newly seeded (early May) lawn that has a crabgrass problem. Front yard gets full sun basically all day, and that's where it's the worst. I'm not sure if spraying a weed and feed is appropriate yet.

I want the yard to look great next year, and plan to fertilize and overseed this fall.

Any advice on how I can get this young lawn to grow into the envy of the neighborhood? And eliminate the crabgrass?

 

[bepperb]

"The caveat is that this application kills all grass seed, so you can't do any grass seeding at that time. "

This is also my understanding, that the "crabgrass preventer" will also prevent normal grass seeds from germinating. So there probably wasn't much you could do to prevent it. I don't think a normal weed and feed will do much on crabgrass. Is it isolated enough you can tear it out by hand and reseed this fall?

 

[vtb]

I have pulled some of it this past weekend. I didn't think that there was much I could have done to prevent at this point. I guess that continuing to water is also a good idea.

I think I read somewhere that it is good to pull it by hand, and put some grass seed and compost in the void left by the roots.

The thicker the lawn the less chance for weed growth is what I hear.

 

[Mustang_Cougar]

One of the best resources for this sort of problem is to call your local county ag extension office and ask for advice; they should know just about everything there is to know about your local weed & soil issues, including the best treatments. Unlike nurseries and home improvement stores, they're not out to sell you anything...so you tend to get solid advice.

My local extension service helped me to diagnosis a black medic issue, which I had incorrectly identified (and mistreated) as a clover problem. The 2-minute call saved me from wasting $15 on another bottle of ineffective herbicide.

M_C

 

[perbe]

The best way to crowd out crabgrass and any other weeds is to let you grass grow long. Put your mower on its highest setting and leave it there. You will need to cut more often to keep it neat but you will have the thickest lawn in the hood.

 

[vtb]

Awesome advice.

They were indeed extremely helpful at the ag office. They said to keep watering. The problem is that it got too hot here and the grass is established, but not growing quickly due to less rain and more heat. Therefore, there are spaces for crabgrass to take over.
They suggest to water through the summer, over-seed and fertilize in late September. Recommend not cutting grass too short either, but that should not be a problem as it has barely grown since last mowing (2 weeks ago).

 

[Russell]

There is a crab grass killer that does not kill other grasses. I think Weed-be-gone makes it. I have used it before with no issues. However it was on established grass.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: perbe
The best way to crowd out crabgrass and any other weeds is to let you grass grow long. Put your mower on its highest setting and leave it there. You will need to cut more often to keep it neat but you will have the thickest lawn in the hood.


This. ^^

Even with a "short" grass like centipede, I have found that by keeping my mower at a taller height, the grass throws thicker and the lawn seems healthier in general. I've read that the root system mirrors the grass blades: if you keep the grass cropped short, the root system will stay short (shallow) as well. Allowing the grass to grow longer will in turn encourage the roots to grow deeper, so they'll get more nutrients, the lawn will be more drought tolerant, etc.

 

[kkreit01]

Weed-B-Gone Max with Crabgrass Control. Spot spray. Follow directions. If dry, I think they say to have the ground moist beforehand.

 

[morris]

if its green MOW IT!

 

[javacontour]

The let it grow as tall as possible is good advice. Taller grass grows deeper roots. It also shades the ground helping to preserve the moisture in the ground.

 

[dwcopple]

you need to get Drive75 somewhere and somehow. overseed and use a STARTER Fertilizer in the Fall and use a pre-emergent killer in the spring first week of April (approx)

 

[dwcopple]

http://63.76.74.75/Drive/1/1125.htm

 

[ZZman]

Fertilize as required and water enough. A strong lawn chokes out weeds.

Also use crab grass preventer at right time to stop it from germinating at all.

Much easier to prevent it then kill it later.

 

[Mamala Bay]

Starting a new lawn goes with the turf weeds will pop up. Curious, crabgrass usually isn't the first type of weeds popping up on a new lawn...more so a broad leaf because of watering issues.

A strong turf is desired as a basic. I wouldn't want to spray any type of weed killer unless things are out of control.

Most unusual for crabgrass to establish itself on a new lawn which should be a slow growing establishing weed...I would pluck it out before it becomes a problem

 

[onion]

I look foreward to the day when I have the luxury of worrying about crab grass.

For now I just mow it and wonder why anybody even notices the stuff.

 

[vtb]

I've pulled some of the crabgrass, but more seems to be taking it's place. I think the fall treatments will be ideal for prepping for success next spring.

I think the crabgrass invaded/took root because the lawn is not full enough yet. Unfortunately it's the front yard that got the crabgrass, not the back.

Any advice on keeping a lawn strong and green when it gets full sun most of the day (like 90%)? I have been thinking about putting Milorganite down to see if it helps at all.