The How and Why of Crabgrass Prevention

Spring is about to bloom! Have you spotted any crabgrass on your lawn yet?

Do you know how to handle crabgrass when it shows up?

Crabgrass is one of the tougher weeds that will show up on your lawn in the spring. Known for its low-growing, quick-spreading nature, crabgrass thrives in warmer weather, forming dense patches that can smother your grass. Managing crabgrass is an essential step towards maintaining a lush, healthy lawn.

Why Is Managing Crabgrass Important?

• Aesthetic Appeal: Crabgrass disrupts the uniform appearance of your lawn, unsightly patches lowering curb appeal.
• Resource Competition: Crabgrass competes with grass for water, nutrients, and sunlight, which weakens your lawn and make it more vulnerable to other issues.
• Prevention of Spread: Crabgrass spreads wide and fast. If left unchecked, it can quickly form dense patches that get more challenging to control over time.

Effective Crabgrass Management Strategies

• Pre-Emergent Herbicides: Pre-emergent herbicides are herbicides used to control weeds before they appear. Applying a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring prevents crabgrass seeds from germinating. The best time for application is late March to early May.
• Post-Emergent Herbicides: If crabgrass has already emerged, post-emergent herbicides can target existing plants. However, they are less effective once the weeds have matured. 
• Regular Lawn Maintenance: Proper mowing, watering, and fertilization promote a dense and healthy lawn, making it more difficult for crabgrass to overtake the grass you want. Overseeding thin areas with the grass you want can also help prevent crabgrass from taking hold. 
• Timely Fertilization: Starting fertilization in early spring (around March) provides essential nutrients to your lawn as it begins its growth phase, increasing its resilience against weeds. 

Need Weed Control in South Lyon?

You can do all of this yourself, or you can let lawn technicians from Ever So Green take the work off your plate! We provide weed control in South Lyon, but that’s not the only area we serve! See the bottom of this article for a complete list of locations. For help managing crabgrass, call 517-540-1100 or request a quote here.

Locations Served:

• Howell
• Brighton
• Hartland
• Fowlerville
• Pinckney
• All of Livingston County
• Whitmore Lake
• Highland
• Milford
• Fenton
• South Lyon