You step outside, hoping to see a beautiful green lawn. Instead, you notice that crabgrass is spreading fast and taking over your yard. This weed does not only look bad. It also steals nutrients from your grass and can quickly turn a healthy lawn into a patchy mess.
Being a tough, fast-growing weed that grows in thin, dry areas of your lawn. It produces thousands of seeds that sprout each spring, making it a recurring headache if left untreated. The key to remove crabgrass is acting at the right time and using the right approach.
A lawn without weeds looks thick, green, and healthy. If you have been fighting crabgrass year after year, consider using the prevention and removal strategies we suggested. Keep reading, and you will understand the best methods for killing crabgrass and preventing new growth.
Crabgrass is one of the most frustrating weeds homeowners can face. It spreads quickly and competes with your grass for water and nutrients. Understanding how it grows and spreads is the first step to stopping it.
Firstly, it is an annual weed, meaning it completes its life cycle in one growing season.
It grows low to the ground and spreads outward like crab legs. The weed tolerates hot, dry conditions, making it hard to control in the summer. It is mostly found in thin, patchy areas where the lawn is weak.
As stated earlier, crabgrass dies in the fall with the first frost, but that does not mean it will not emerge again.
Before dying, each plant releases thousands of seeds, ensuring a new crop the following spring. Hence, being proactive in this regard can help.
Crabgrass spreads quickly and competes with your grass for nutrients. The best way to control it is by applying pre-emergent herbicides at the right time and keeping your lawn strong through proper care. A thick, healthy lawn leaves little room for crabgrass to grow.
You can choose between the following pre-emergent herbicide options
After applying, avoid disturbing the soil with raking or aerating, as this can break the herbicide barrier and reduce its effectiveness.
Applying pre-emergent too early can cause it to wear off before peak germination while applying it too late allows crabgrass to take root. Using a soil thermometer or checking local weather reports can help determine the right time.
If you time their application correctly, pre-emergents can prevent crabgrass for the entire season.
A well-maintained lawn is the best defense against weeds. Crabgrass thrives in weak, patchy areas, so strengthening your grass will naturally reduce its spread.
If you notice bare spots, overseeding in early fall can help fill them in before weeds take over. A thick, healthy lawn naturally pushes out crabgrass and reduces its chances of growing back.
If it is too late to prevent crabgrass and it has already germinated, don't worry. It might take some effort, but you can still get rid of it.
Crabgrass is an annual weed that thrives in hot, dry conditions and poor soil. It often germinates in spring and grows rapidly throughout the summer. If left untreated, crabgrass can overtake large areas of your lawn.
Therefore, removing crabgrass as soon as possible will prevent it from spreading further. The longer it stays, the more seeds it produces, making future outbreaks even worse.
One of the best methods for small patches is pulling crabgrass by hand. The key is to remove it before it produces seed heads, which usually happens in mid-to-late summer.
After pulling, dispose of the crabgrass properly. Do not leave it on the lawn or in compost piles, as seeds can still spread. Place it in a sealed bag or burn it if permitted in your area.
If crabgrass has spread beyond manual removal, post-emergent herbicides can help. These products target actively growing weeds without harming most established grass types.
In some cases, controlled burning can be used to remove crabgrass. However, this method carries significant risks, including potential harm to surrounding vegetation and increased fire hazard, especially in dry conditions.
If considering this method, consult local regulations and seek professional assistance.
Once crabgrass is gone, your lawn might have bare patches. If left unaddressed, these spots become the perfect place for more weeds to grow.
The best time to reseed is late summer or early fall when temperatures are cooler and grass has time to establish before winter.
Healthy soil supports strong grass growth, making it harder for crabgrass to return. Adding a thin layer of compost or nutrient-rich topsoil before seeding helps new grass take root and grow.
Compost adds organic matter that improves soil structure and water retention. Topsoil provides essential nutrients for seed germination and root development.
Mulching around newly seeded areas keeps moisture in the soil and prevents crabgrass from re-establishing. Straw or peat moss can be lightly spread over reseeded spots to protect young grass from drying out.
Keeping up with regular maintenance will also help ensure that crabgrass does not return next season.
Avoiding these missteps will give your lawn the best chance of staying weed-free.
Pre-emergent herbicides must be applied before crabgrass seeds sprout. If you wait too long, the herbicide will have no effect, and crabgrass will take hold. This is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make.
How to get it right: Apply pre-emergents when soil temperatures reach 55°F for consecutive days, usually in early to mid-spring. A soil thermometer or local weather report can help you time it correctly.
It is essential to select the right weed killer. That is because not all herbicide will help you remove crabgrass. Some products only target broadleaf weeds like dandelions, while others are non-selective and will kill everything, including your lawn.
How to get it right: Choose a selective post-emergent herbicide with quinclorac, fenoxaprop, or mesotrione that specifically targets crabgrass while leaving healthy grass unharmed. Always check the label to make sure it is safe for your lawn type.
A thin, patchy lawn gives crabgrass the space it needs to grow and spread. Many homeowners focus on killing crabgrass but forget that a strong lawn is the best defense against weeds.
How to get it right:
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can greatly reduce the chances of crabgrass returning.
For homeowners who prefer a chemical-free approach, natural methods can help control crabgrass in smaller areas. While these methods may require more frequent applications, they offer a safer alternative for lawns, gardens, and driveways.
Boiling water is a simple, effective way to kill crabgrass growing in cracks, sidewalks, and patios. The extreme heat destroys the plant’s cell structure, causing it to die within hours.
How to use it: Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and pour it directly onto the crabgrass. Be careful to avoid desirable plants, as boiling water will kill anything it touches.
Baking soda acts as a natural desiccant, pulling moisture from crabgrass and drying it out over time. It is most effective on small, young plants growing between pavers or in walkways.
How to use it: Sprinkle baking soda over damp crabgrass, coating the leaves. Check back after a few days and repeat if needed.
Crabgrass seeds need sunlight to germinate, so covering exposed soil with mulch is a simple way to prevent it from growing. This method is especially useful in gardens, flower beds, and around trees.
How to use it: Spread two to three inches of mulch over bare soil. Organic mulch, like wood chips or straw, will also help retain moisture and improve soil quality over time.
Natural control methods work best when used consistently. To deal with crabgrass, you can also follow our Natural DIY Herbicide recipe.
Crabgrass can be persistent, but with the right approach, it does not have to take over your lawn. Prevention is the most effective strategy, starting with pre-emergent herbicides and good lawn care habits.
If crabgrass has already sprouted, manual removal and targeted herbicides can help eliminate it before it spreads. Strengthening your lawn through proper mowing, fertilization, and watering will keep crabgrass from coming back year after year.
At Percy’s Lawn Care, we understand that maintaining a healthy lawn takes time and effort. Since 1999, our family-owned business has been helping homeowners in Buffalo, Amherst, and Cheektowaga achieve lush, green, and wholesome lawns with expert care and personalized service.
Our team is dedicated to provide the highest level of care and attention to your lawn. As a family-owned business, we take pride in catering to all of our customers’ needs and tending to their lawns like our own.
Let us take the guesswork out of lawn care. Contact Percy’s Lawn Care today to see how we can help you get the lawn of your dreams. Get in touch with us today!
