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Crabgrass
Crabgrass is an annual weed with each plant able to produce over 100,000 seeds. The best way to control its growth is to apply a pre-emergent in the early spring, before the seeds germinate. Post-emergent controls are also available, and are sometimes still necessary even if a pre-emergent is used, depending on environmental conditions. Since all crabgrass seeds will germinate at different times, repeat applications may be necessary using the post-emergent controls. During the summer crabgrass can be at its worst due to the high ground temperature and frequent light rains. These rains add just enough moisture to the seed and soil to allow for germination.
Landscape Beds
Maxalea offers three services to help control crabgrass in landscape beds. The first is to treat the beds with a pre-emergent to help prevent seeds from germinating. The second is a regular maintenance service agreement to maintain the landscape beds throughout the year; this provides weeding with each crew visit. Third, Maxalea can maintain the lawn. Although weed seeds can be transported by birds, wind, and water, the weeds in landscape beds are often coming from weeds in the lawn.
Lawns
Just as in the beds, the best way to control crabgrass in the lawn is to use a pre-emergent, normally applied in March or early April; this product should control crabgrass for about four months. If germination does happen, then a post-emergent control can also be applied to the lawn. Also, by keeping the lawn cut at three inches or higher, less sunlight will be able to penetrate to the soil surface, which helps reduce crabgrass germination. For thin lawns or bare spots, consider a slit seeding or aeration and over-seeding; this will not only thicken up the turf, but also help prevent all weed seeds from germinating.
If you have any questions, or would like to add any of the services mentioned, please contact your Maxalea representative.