Crabgrass
The #1 target of spring pre-emergent applications. Crabgrass is a warm-season annual grassy weed that germinates when soil temperatures reach 55°F and spreads aggressively through summer. It dies in the first frost but leaves bare patches behind.
Crabgrass (Digitaria spp.) is a summer annual — it germinates from seed each spring, grows through summer, produces thousands of seeds, then dies in fall. The bare patches it leaves behind get filled with more crabgrass seeds the following spring.
Prevention: A well-timed spring pre-emergent is the most effective control. Applies before soil hits 55°F consistently.
Post-emergent control: Young crabgrass (1–2 tillers) can be controlled with post-emergent products containing quinclorac or fenoxaprop. Mature crabgrass is very difficult to kill without damaging surrounding turf.
Cultural control: Mow high (3.5"+) — taller grass shades the soil and reduces crabgrass germination.
More on Pre-Emergent
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