Do you need a reliable weed control service to stop crabgrass before it spreads? Spotting crabgrass in the lawn is enough to make any homeowner feel, well, a bit crabby. This problem weed thrives in hot, dry conditions, and that’s exactly why it loves Texas summers. Even worse, a single plant can distribute thousands of seeds in one season. No wonder crabgrass is such an issue.
How to Spot Crabgrass in Your Lawn
Crabgrass begins with a low-growing, central root. Its blades are a lighter green than turf grasses, and the blades tend to be thicker. With its ability to reproduce, this annual weed sometimes seems like a perennial. From spring to fall, it grows and produces more seeds. And unfortunately, mowing crabgrass doesn’t get rid of the problem. Mowing tends to encourage this weed to grow closer to the ground, all the while continuing to produce seeds. This adaptive tendency is one of the reasons that it’s so hard to get rid of crabgrass.
Why Timing Matters for Crabgrass Control
When cold weather arrives, the crabgrass dies, but not before leaving thousands of seeds that will germinate the following year. One of the most reliable methods of dealing with crabgrass is to apply a pre-emergent herbicide. This is usually done early in the spring, before last spring’s seeds have a chance to germinate. The beauty of using a pre-emergent herbicide is that it prevents thousands of seeds from ever sprouting into plants. Timing is of the essence here. Start too late, and the application won’t be effective. For lawn weed control in Texas, consistency across seasons is what keeps crabgrass from coming back.
Weed Control Practices to Prevent Crabgrass
Good lawn maintenance techniques are essential to keeping crabgrass out of your lawn. Mowing too low makes turf susceptible to all sorts of pests, diseases and weeds like crabgrass. Accordingly, it’s important to focus on keeping mower blades at one of the highest settings. The sharpness of the blades matters too, as this keeps the grass healthier. Crabgrass loves nitrogen, so if you give your lawn fertilizer that contains nitrogen (as most of them do), then you may be perpetuating your problem. It may make sense to try a fertilizer that doesn’t have nitrogen, which will benefit your lawn while not feeding crabgrass.
It’s also important to exercise care with watering. A surface that’s constantly wet is particularly attractive to germinating seeds. Before long, you may start to recognize the signs of crabgrass returning to your lawn. Still, your turf must receive the necessary hydration to survive. The secret may be in watering deeply on a less-frequent basis, which allows the surface to dry completely.
Comprehensive Crabgrass Control in North Texas
Crabgrass is an aggressive and persistent weed that can overtake portions of your lawn. For expert help preventing unwanted weeds and controlling a crabgrass problem on your turf, speak with North Texas’ weed control specialists. Call Green Top Lawn Care at (817) 684-4044 or request a free weed control quote.
