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.