If it’s a type of grass, why is crabgrass bad for the lawn? For starters, it’s not a ‘turf-type’ grass like your lawn. Crabgrass is a nasty weed that can take over your turf and jeopardize the lawn’s health.
This invasive annual weed can easily spread over your entire lawn if you let it, eventually invading your garden beds. Too much crabgrass will lead to pest problems, bare patches, and stolen resources intended for your grass (such as fertilizer and water).
“Smooth crabgrass” by The NYSIPM Image Gallery is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Although crabgrass is a member of the grass family, it has become problematic in lawns. In fact, fighting crabgrass is an ongoing battle. It’s ironic that, in 1849, the U.S. Patent Office introduced it into the U.S. as a forage crop. However, it spread nationwide and is now considered a weed.
Native to Europe or Eurasia, crabgrass is considered the number one pest in lawns worldwide. This warm-season grass has an advantage over cool-season lawn grasses (e.g., fescues, bluegrasses, ryegrasses) and can go toe-to-toe with perennial warm-season grasses (e.g., Bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass).
Life cycle: Warm season annual
Where it thrives: Found in almost every turf and landscape situation. Mainly around sidewalks, driveways and just about anywhere there is sparse turf.
How to Identify Crabgrass
Very noticeable against dark-green turfgrass. The stems are branched. Tinged light purple with a white strip down the center, leaves measure ⅖-½ inch wide and ⅓-1 inch long and have shiny hair.
How to Get Rid of Crabgrass
Maintaining a dense turf and overseeding to avoid a sparse lawn is the first line of attach. As part of Green Horizon’s lawn care program, we apply a pre-emergent when soil temps are about 50-55 degrees, this is done during the spring fertilization and weed control treatment round coming up next March, so spread the word to your neighbors and friends and have them sign up today.
Featured image: “Large crabgrass” by The NYSIPM Image Gallery is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
