Now that spring is around the corner, the weather is getting warmer and triggering the growth of grass—and weeds. Learn how beneficial preemergent crabgrass control and fertilizer can be for the health and vibrancy of your lawn this season and throughout the year.

What is Crabgrass & Why Should it be Stopped

Crabgrass is a common weed that germinates in the spring and thrives in warm, sunny conditions. It’s low to the ground, like grass, but has distinctive wide blades that resemble crab legs. This makes it stand out in uneven patches throughout your lawn. If left untreated, crabgrass can quickly take over lawns and gardens, depriving your other plants of the water, sun, and nutrients they need to survive. Since crabgrass has shallow roots, it can also disrupt the soil structure, leading to compaction which also makes it difficult for other plants to thrive.

Even though crabgrass is an annual weed that will die at the end of the growing season, it leaves behind dormant seeds in the soil. This reseeding process continues year after year unless it’s properly controlled. That’s where preventative measures come into play.

Preemergent Crabgrass Control

Preventing crabgrass is often more effective than trying to control established weeds. This means you need to target the seeds that haven’t germinated yet. If you start to see signs of crabgrass, it’s too late for a preventative solution. If you apply pre-emergent herbicides in the spring you can help prevent crabgrass seeds from germinating. Not only does this help reduce the need for post-emergent weed control later in the season, but overtime it will enhance the effectiveness of preventative measures as well.

Pre-emergent crabgrass controls create a barrier in the soil that prevents crabgrass seeds from sprouting. Therefore, you want to apply these products before soil temperatures get warm enough to start germinating the seeds. This is why early spring, before soil temperatures reach around 55-60 degrees, is an ideal time.

Take out the Bad with the Good

Some pre-emergent crabgrass controls are often mixed with fertilizer. Not only does this help combat the weed problem, but it has many other benefits:

1. Save time and effort. Instead of applying two separate products, you can accomplish both tasks in one application.
2. Cost-effective. Save money by only buying one product that does the job of two.
3. Boost nutrients. Like weed control, applying a fertilizer is another spring time essential that helps promote proper root development and healthy grass growth.

Regular lawn maintenance tasks, such as watering and mowing, are also important in ensuring your lawn is healthy enough to prevent weeds from taking over. For more information on the best methods for preventing weeds and feeding your lawn, contact the specialists at Green Image Lawn Care. We take a scientific approach to lawn care for optimal results you can rely on.