Effective Ways to Get Rid of Crabgrass from Your Lawn

Crabgrass is a pesky weed that can invade and take over lawns, leading to unsightly patches of light green grass. Getting rid of crabgrass takes some effort but is completely doable with the right techniques. This article will provide tips on how to identify crabgrass, explain why it’s problematic, and detail effective methods for removing crabgrass and keeping it away for good.

What is Crabgrass?

Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) is an annual grassy weed that sprouts in lawns and gardens. It grows low to the ground and has broad light green leaf blades. Crabgrass spreads rapidly via seeds and stems that root at nodes. It chokes out lawn grass and other plants by hogging water nutrients and space.

Crabgrass thrives in the hot, dry conditions of summer. It is opportunistic and invades thin, weak lawns that provide openings. Crabgrass drops hundreds of thousands of seeds that can lie dormant for years before germinating.

Why is Crabgrass Problematic?

There are several reasons why crabgrass can be a nuisance:

• It grows and spreads quickly, crowding out lawn grass. Crabgrass stems root at the nodes and form dense patches.

• It creates thin, weak turf and bare spots in lawns that are more prone to weed invasions.

• Crabgrass is lighter green and faster growing than lawn grass. This two-tone, patchy look is unattractive.

• It causes uneven, bumpy turf that can be uncomfortable to walk or play on.

• Crabgrass dies off when cold weather arrives, leaving behind dead brown patches.

• The extensive root system absorbs water and nutrients, depriving lawn grass.

• It causes additional work and expense for homeowners trying to control and eradicate it.

How to Identify Crabgrass

Learning how to recognize crabgrass early in the spring is key for effective control. Here are some identification tips:

• Look for light green patches of grass that are spreading and are a different color/texture than the rest of the lawn.

• Crabgrass has wide, blunt-tipped grass blades that are often reddish-purple at the base.

• It has stiff stems that radiate out and root at the lower nodes where they touch soil.

• You may see seed heads sprouting up on short stalks. The seeds look similar to quinoa.

• Crabgrass is lowest to the ground in high traffic areas and turf that is mowed short.

Effective Methods for Removing and Preventing Crabgrass

Getting rid of crabgrass requires diligence and using multiple control methods together. Here are some effective crabgrass removal techniques:

Apply Herbicide

• Using a selective herbicide specifically formulated to target crabgrass is one of the most effective ways to kill it. Always read and follow label directions carefully.

• Time applications to treat young crabgrass in early spring right as it sprouts, or in fall to get any remaining crabgrass before winter.

• Liquid, granular, and concentrate formulas are available. Choose the right crabgrass killer herbicide depending on your specific needs.

• Broadleaf herbicides will not work on crabgrass which is a grassy weed. Use a crabgrass-specific herbicide labeled for lawns.

Hand Pull Crabgrass

• For minor infestations, you can hand pull crabgrass plants, roots and all. Use a sturdy tool like a dandelion weeder to remove the entire plant and root.

• Try to remove crabgrass before it goes to seed so you do not spread more unwanted seeds. Discard pulled plants promptly.

• Hand pulling works best when soil is moist and the root system pulls out easier.

• Be diligent and remove new sprouts anytime you see them to prevent spreading. Hand pulling works better on small areas versus entire lawns overrun with crabgrass.

Improve Lawn Density

A thick, dense lawn is less susceptible to crabgrass invading. Improving overall lawn health makes it more competitive against crabgrass.

• Overseed bare, thin areas in spring and fall to fill in with more desirable grass varieties.

• Aerate compacted soil to allow roots to grow deeper and absorb nutrients better.

• Mow high (3-4”) to encourage deeper roots and thicker turf. Never cut off more than 1/3 of blade height when mowing.

• Water deeply 1-2 times a week to encourage deep roots rather than frequent shallow watering.

• Fertilize at least twice a year to feed the lawn without overdoing it. Organic slow-release fertilizer is ideal.

Tips for Crabgrass Prevention

Stopping crabgrass before it ever germinates is the best defense. Here are some useful prevention tips:

• Use pre-emergent herbicides that create a chemical barrier to block germination in spring before crabgrass seeds sprout. Barricade and Halts are two common examples.

• Maintain proper mowing height and watering practices to keep your lawn thick and healthy.

• Improve soil quality by aerating and adding compost or other amendments to increase organic matter. Healthier soil grows better grass.

• Overseed in fall with cool-season perennial grass varieties adapted to your climate. Perennial ryegrass and fine fescue resist crabgrass.

• Install landscape fabric or mulch beds around landscaping plants and borders to block any potential crabgrass seedlings.

With proper identification, control methods, and prevention, you can successfully banish crabgrass from your lawn for good. Pay close attention in spring and early summer to spot crabgrass as soon as it first appears. A 2-pronged approach of using herbicides and improving lawn density provides the best defense against this stubborn annual weed.