Give crabgrass zero chance to settle in your lawn

Crabgrass is one of the most common weeds you can find in Iowa lawns. It is no wonder almost every home owner in Iowa is very keen on crabgrass prevention. Every body must be ready before the early days of spring roll into place. As it is named, crabgrass grows very low on the ground and spreads outwards like a crab. Crabgrass prevention must be planned, timed, and constantly fortified for good reason. Crabgrass tend to be annual weeds. This means that they grow each year and complete their life cycle before dying and producing more seeds at the end of the season. This cycle becomes perennial if not controlled and eventually purged.

Your crabgrass prevention methods become a must beginning the end of winter so you are ready to spot and manage potential crabgrass growth on your lawn.

At this moment, if your lawn had crabgrass growth from last season, you can certainly expect that crabgrass seeds are lying in wait in the soil. It is waiting for the right moisture and the perfect temperature to emerge soon. Crabgrass is just waiting to wreak havoc on your lawn for another season. Stop crabgrass before it grows and becomes a pain to manage. Begin by paying close attention to your lawn. Crabgrass prevention does not rely solely on your calendar. Mind your lawn and its development. The moment your grass starts growing, keep an eye on potential weed growth.

Chances are, fast forward to your second or third mowing, the crabgrass in waiting is ready to grow.

The window is really short when your soil hits the ideal temperature for crabgrass to germinate and start to grow. Be very watchful. This is when your crabgrass prevention kit will begin to be of use. It is a good idea to keep a soil thermometer to monitor the trend in the temperature of your soil. This way, you will know when to apply your pre-emergent herbicide, also known as crabgrass preventer. It is better to be a bit off timing or early in applying pre-emergent herbicide than to get it done late and miss the early sprouts.

So start monitoring your soil temperature. Crabgrass germinates in warm temperature with the right amount of moisture the upcoming spring brings. Applying your pre-emergent herbicide way too early gives it less of a chance to put a veil over your lawn against crabgrass. The natural process of the natural process of awakening of your lawn will destroy its potency if applied too early. So keep an eye on the temperature of your soil and the growth of your grass. If you apply too late, you will miss the early stage of germination. It will defeat the purpose of the pre-emergent herbicide being a protective barrier once the crabgrass has started to germinate.

There is nothing in pre-emergent herbicide that kills crabgrass once they sprout.

Most pre-emergent herbicides remain effective for approximately 50 days. Check the label on your product to be sure as it may vary. If the protection breaks down, dormant crabgrass seeds you think you have already contained may make its way into germination. There is no need to reapply pre-emergent herbicides all over your lawn. Just be sure to target the areas where they thrive. For instance, reapply it next to driveways and walkways. The soil around this area is sure to absorb the heat more. This encourages the growth of crabgrass.

Crabgrass prevention may be a painstaking task, but then again, prevention is always better than cure.

It is best to apply fertilizer with your pre-emergent herbicide. Crabgrass prevention involves feeding your grass. Keeping your turf thick and healthy fights away crabgrass hand in hand with your pre-emergent herbicide. Feed your lawn with fertilizer early on to lead it to the roots of your grass. The fertilizer thickens your grass. The thicker your grass grows, the more it is able to withstand and squeeze out crabgrass that your pre-emergent herbicide may have missed. .

FAQ: Can I reseed and weed at the same time?

No. Either reseed or weed. You cannot do both simultaneously. The herbicides you use for crabgrass prevention will also kill your grass. If you treat your lawn with pre-emergent herbicides for crabgrass prevention, you cannot seed. If you prioritize seeding, you cannot use pre-emergent herbicides. The best way to go is to control crabgrass growth in the spring. You can do your seeding in late summer or early fall. Keep these two chores eight weeks apart at the very least.

What All American Turf Beauty Says About Beating Crabgrass Early Before Spring

Once crabgrass settles on your lawn, they seem to live and spread forever. They die at the end of the season and awaken with your grass at the start of the season. If you leave them uncontrolled, they will keep up the same cycle over and over. Growth of crabgrass leave long-lasting consequences on your lawn. That is why understanding how crabgrass works and how to break the perennial cycle is the key to purge crabgrass and keep it away from your lawn for good. There is nothing only the best lawn care experts in Iowa can give you. Get in touch with All American Turf Beauty to keep you on the right track as it is time to revive your lawn. Call us today and talk to our lawn care experts at 1-800-365-8873 or you may visit us at 311 Desoto Rd, Van Meter, IA.