Crabgrass……….looks like a weed……..acts like a weed…….but as the name implies, crabgrass is really a “weed grass”. It is an annual species that dies off each year after the first frost. Then, crabgrass returns the following Spring from seed. In late Summer or early Fall, crabgrass will turn a purply, black colour before it dies off completely leaving a straw like dead plant.
Each annual crabgrass plant can produce thousands of seeds ensuring a few crabgrass plants can start a major infestation in your lawn. It is a fairly dominant plant and can out compete regular grasses for space, crowding out the more desired grasses in your lawn.
Crabgrass control, without the use of older chemical products, is difficult, especially if the crabgrass stand has been allowed to flourish for an extended number of years as so many seeds will be produced.
Wagner utilizes a product called “Crab Arrest”, developed specifically for use in controlling crabgrass. While the best product on the market, it is no miracle cure, with control rates not being as effective as we would like. Hence, crabgrass control must be done several Springs in a row to obtain satisfactory results. As well, other cultural practices – like seeding – must take place to reduce the crabgrass population.
Since the crabgrass control works by stunting crabgrass seed germination, it also stunts regular lawn seed germination. Thus, seeding your lawn after an application of crabgrass control will not have any benefit. You’ll be wasting your time and money. There are only two times to seed in our area if crabgrass control is being applied to your property before the end of May – very early in the Spring (seed must have germinated and new seedlings showing before control) or late in the Summer (early to mid-September).
We suggest over-seeding and liquid aeration later in the season to help fill in areas where crabgrass will die off.
Furthermore, in combination with Crab Arrest, our regular weed control program utilizing Fiesta, can also help reduce your crabgrass issues. Again, while not a miracle cure, we have noted that Fiesta applied to maturing crabgrass plants will kill some of the seed pods, reducing the spread of the crabgrass the following Spring.
