Crabgrass is a weed that can kill and overtake golf courses and their pristine greens, fairways, tee boxes and rough. There are many methods that can help prevent crabgrass, such as using chemicals, and others that can't hurt it, such as fertilizer. So whether you're a superintendent or a manager at a course, it's important to know about crabgrass prevention.
Identification
Crabgrass earns its name because it looks like green crab legs sprouting out of the ground. It grows close to the ground in tight clumps, and extended crab-leg-like stems are usually lighter in color than the desirable lawn grass. Crabgrass does not grow in shady or dark areas. A warm-season annual, crabgrass is killed by winter's cold temperatures although it can survive winters in the warmest growing zones of the United States.
Removal prevention
Remove crabgrass as soon as you see it because it is fast growing and fast spreading. very fertile weed and can be a full-blown patch in no time. Water the area heavily to facilitate removal of the crabgrass.
Crabgrass roots aren't that deep, but they can get big, especially with large crabgrass patches. Hand removal is the preferred method, which can be tedious, but it beats using a shovel, which will leave holes. Once the crabgrass has been removed, mulch the soil to prevent the remaining roots from growing more crabgrass. Watering the grass and moving it regularly helps keep the lawn healthy and makes it difficult for crabgrass to take over.
Chemical prevention
Complete crabgrass prevention is not possible, however, pre-emergent herbicides put down on the lawn can limit the amount of crabgrass that grows. These herbicides put up barrier just below the surface of the soil that kills crabgrass seedlings as they begin to grow. Fertilizer does not distinguish between grass you want and grass you don't, so it will make crabgrass grow faster and longer instead of killing it. Avoid using fertilizer until you have removed or prevented crabgrass.
Mowing
Golf courses keep grasses on the greens and fairways very short, so when crabgrass appears it must be removed by hand. Mowing will only make it worse because it will ruin the grass around the crabgrass and then help the crabgrass grow more because it will expose it to more light.
Herbicides
Some suggested brands of herbicides are Roundup and Monterey, which sell a products targeted for crabgrass. Post-emergent herbicides are available that prevent the weeds from maturing and planting seed. Chemicals are advised as a last resort because the herbicides that kill crabgrass will kill other plants and grass as well. And if you do use chemicals, remember to always wear protective gear such as gloves and goggles.
About The Author
Mike Camunas is a free lance reporter, covering local golf in the Tampa Bay area, from events to golfers hitting hole in ones, to even covering the professional events that hit town. He has been playing golf for about 11 years and has never seen his handicap lower. Perhaps one day. He attended the University of South Florida.
