Lawn owners struggle with crabgrass in lawns
35 posts in the last 60 days, all from r/lawncare.
“I overseeded my entire lawn 3 weeks ago with KBG. The grass seed is taking and growing in several areas of my lawn but is not growing in one section where I had excessive crabgrass growth over the summer. I had treated/managed/killed the crabgrass prior to seeding and was hoping…”
“Crabgrass came over the summer and smoked my rye lawn. Got to work. Nuked the crabgrass, scalped the lawn, dethatched, aerated, and today overseeded. From start to finish about a month. Today I was aerate/overseed day. Happy me. I overseeded today because this morning we were…”
“I live in Minnesota and my yard has an AWFUL crab grass problem. Before anyone says I should use a pre emergent killer, yes I’m gonna do that in the spring, but I’ve only had this house for a year and did not know/have such a bad issue late last summer when I moved in. I used to…”
Multiple users are experiencing issues with crabgrass overtaking their lawns, particularly during the summer months. They seek advice on effective prevention and treatment methods, including corn gluten meal.
SOURCES (60)
“Zone 7a I have a mix of fescue and bluegrass, and am battling a Bermuda grass infestation on this side of the yard. It looks kinda similar to Bermuda but the hair seems like crabgrass. Any idea what it is? submitted by /u/DrShadyPhD [link] [comments]”
We just built this summer and planted grass in early March. It had a ton of crabgrass all summer but now is bare and weedy. What are my best options now so…
“I overseeded my entire lawn 3 weeks ago with KBG. The grass seed is taking and growing in several areas of my lawn but is not growing in one section where I had excessive crabgrass growth over the summer. I had treated/managed/killed the crabgrass prior to seeding and was hoping to see growth by now. Any suggestions on solutions? I do not believe it is a watering issue as I have growth elsewhere with a similar watering schedule, plus I have not put down any pre-emergent type of products since la”
“You really don’t have to work hard for green weeds. All you have to do is neglect your lawn and you’ll have plenty of green weeds. Whatever grows there, spread insecticides to control ticks and anything that might affect your pets.”
“Technically, yes. Probably not the kind you want though. Crabgrass is in the grass family.”
“Just use a pre-emergent in early spring, and maybe one to two more times throughout the summer so the seeds don't germinate. Typically right as the forsythia bloom in early spring is when you put down your first application.”
“Hey all. Lawn is a KBG mix with some fescues, in New England zone 6. Trying to identify this, it grows so unbelievably fast it’s wild. At first I thought it was just crabgrass until I saw a post earlier today with Johnson grass, so now I’m not too sure. I used Weed B Gon maybe 2 months ago to get rid of clover in the spots that look more bare. At first some of whatever pictured died as well, but some survived and now grows insanely fast. submitted by /u/Seesh [link] [comments]”
“Did a full lawn renovation the last couple weeks and have crab grass popping up with my new seed. Used resilience 2 and tenacity. Grass was seeded 12 days ago and is coming in nicely but so are certain patches of crabgrass. Should I wait till my first mow and remove it by hand or spray drive xlr8 after 4 mows? submitted by /u/CalmDog2924 [link] [comments]”
“We seeded a new lawn with bermuda last spring and it was going great. We started having issues with crabgrass and it got out of control. I used weed and feed to see if it would help, and it did a little. So, against my gut I did another treatment 30 days later and now my bermuda is dead and the crabgrass really took off. I should not have used two applications on an un-established lawn. We ended up ripping up the crabgrass by hand and are currently keeping it trimmed to keep it from seeding. It”
“Crabgrass. It's got that distinctive droopy hungover slumped look. The tips flop over.”
“Recently laid Northbridge Bermuda sod in June. It’s doing great right now but I can’t decide whether I should plan for winter rye or just skip this winter. Ive heard I run the risk of introducing weeds. Thoughts? Is it just a matter of buying quality seed? Don’t want to ruin my lawn that cost me a fortune. Central California. submitted by /u/speedaholic92 [link] [comments]”
“Best late summer or early fall crabgrass and weed killer combo spread? Thanks! submitted by /u/Ok-Physics-523 [link] [comments]”
“I'm from Colorado my yard has Bermuda. Mixed with crab https://preview.redd.it/0ydputqizznh1.jpeg?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9bca4266fd01b689205d6e9f61fbad3f17346d8a”
“DMV area Crabgrass has taken over my lawn. I removed my pool early summer, got some nice topsoil and sun mix seed The grass was coming in great, was watering twice per day but then I left for 10 days on vacation and came back to half a yard full of crabgrass. Now that the weather is beginning to change, is there any advice on handling this? Thank you! submitted by /u/theguyoverhere24 [link] [comments]”
“Curbs get hotter quicker so the grass there stresses and the crab seeds have been waiting for the right temps to germinate so they come through more where the regular grass is stressed”
“Crabgrass came over the summer and smoked my rye lawn. Got to work. Nuked the crabgrass, scalped the lawn, dethatched, aerated, and today overseeded. From start to finish about a month. Today I was aerate/overseed day. Happy me. I overseeded today because this morning we were forecast for 5 straight days of rain. I could water after work as well. 5 hours after the seed is on the dirt, the new forecast shows no rain for the next 5 days. I have an acre and well water. I can't keep the whole la”
“I live in Minnesota and my yard has an AWFUL crab grass problem. Before anyone says I should use a pre emergent killer, yes I’m gonna do that in the spring, but I’ve only had this house for a year and did not know/have such a bad issue late last summer when I moved in. I used to be able to pull it up but there’s so much of it now that I’m destroying my lawn and barely making a dent. I’ve looked into drive xlr8 since it has a high quinclorac content but it’s like…$100 without shipping which is al”
“The crabgrass will be done by mid-September so you’re better off just scalping it short and bagging the clippings, then aerate and seed right after”
“I’m not so concerned about crabgrass this year…spot treating it, mowing, weed eating. However, I’m worried about this…how green are these crabgrass seeds and will they sprout next year. I feel like I’m catching it early, but what if they dry…and mature. I may make a post with pics.”
“I have a .4 acre yard (was hydroseeded this Spring), Central PA. Is it worth putting down a weed and feed now? I have a fairly large crabgrass problem, too many imo to spot treat. Also have some other weeds mixed in. Would this be a waste of money. I do plan to put down some pre emergent in the Spring. I was thinking of using Pennington Full Season Weed & Feed with Crabgrass Control 25-0-8. I'd also like to put down a top dressing this Fall and overseed a few spots. submitted by &#”
“Central VA At first I thought it was crab grass but its slightly different. We have a few rare spots of crabgrass too but its not the same. I have a lawn company who comes every other month or so in the summer applying weed treatments and fertilizer and until about 3 weeks ago we were looking pretty good after we recovered from a July drought, these popped up after pretty regular rainfall. The weed treatments that get applied dont seem ro so anything. The brown in the pic is from my broken broad”
“Patches of grass that are brighter/grow faster/taller than the rest. Rest is KGB. East canada area https://preview.redd.it/3r2xxbpbwzlh1.png?width=1152&format=png&auto=webp&s=a5840892dfe794bcf0ad04c18768f32277f276a7 submitted by /u/Chazus [link] [comments]”
“Crabgrass not listed in the attached manual to the bottle you have to kill crab grass, that's why you use a separate chemical Quinclorac.”
Quinclorac. Use pre emergent in the spring to significantly reduce crabs
“I also like the formulation, but it's much more expensive per ounce over straight Quinclorac. But I got some because no one sells small bottles of plain Q...”
“I live in Zone 7b. What’s the best treatment for the crabbies? It seems an emergent weed application is what I see recommended, what product would you recommend and when should I apply it? Thanks submitted by /u/WurldWideWebbedFeet [link] [comments]”
“The reason people started planting grass was to prevent erosion. Weeds like crab grass don't do that very well because of the way their roots are.”
“what's the worst that can happen if an entire lawn contains 100% crabgrass? how bad can it possibly look?(in summer or winter) just wondering..... submitted by /u/Firm-Nerve4437 [link] [comments]”
Thanks may check it out. Crabby is thriving in my TTTF/KBG....
“Howdy y'all. Houston Texas, Hybrid Bermuda lawn. What is this, crab grass, jungle rice, or something else? And what is the best product to kill it? I've used certainty and celsius wg with little to show for it. Thanks! submitted by /u/Mental-Ad-267 [link] [comments]”
“Hello everyone, This past spring I dug up my entire lawn and started fresh. I did this because there was a good bit of grassy weeds and dead spots. I put down fresh soil and a fescue mix. It started growing pretty quickly, what seemed to be young fescue type grass. Suddenly my thin bladed lawn turned into this thick, impossible to cut mess. I think this is all crabgrass, if it’s another type of grassy weed let me know. I did not put down pre emergent and i think that’s where i went terribly wron”
“This is crabgrass, right? Have a few patches of it in the yard but it looks and feels different than some of the other patches of crabgrass I’m perpetually battling. Sorry for asking the most common question here, again. Just confirming my suspicions. I’ll await my obligatory meme. submitted by /u/Ty-spelled-T-Y [link] [comments]”
“Same in Michigan, never had a problem with it and my yard is full of it this year . Been here 30 years.”
“Sedgehammer. Quinclorac. T Zone. I would start this week with the sedge hammer. Then in 7/10 days. Quinclorac. Then 10/12 days after that the TZone. Buy a backpack sprayer. It’s much easier than a pump. You’re welcome.”
“New homeowner in South Jersey and I don’t really know much about lawn care yet. I have a lot of crabgrass and other weeds growing and I think some of it might be nutsedge. I heard I’m supposed to use pre emergent for crabgrass but I’ve never used it before. Since it’s already August is it too late to do anything about the crabgrass I have now? What should I put down to kill the crabgrass and other weeds without killing my grass? And when should I use pre emergent so this doesn’t come back next y”
“North east USA Put down The Anderson pre emergent in the spring and it kept the lawn clear most of the summer, doing a good overseed this fall so in preparation I figured i’d pull some of the odd pieces of crab grass I noticed around the lawn But once I really got to picking, there is SO. DAMN. MUCH submitted by /u/whitemike40 [link] [comments]”
“What have you tried to use to kill it? It really looks like dallis grass to me, the same thing I’m battling in Ohio. It looks like crabgrass on steroids except it is a perennial and crabgrass killers won’t touch it. I’ve been using Pylex and slowly winning the battle. Also need to make sure your pre emergent is labeled for it as well”
“Hello, any tips on how to get rid of Crabgrass in Wisconsin? Thanks in advance submitted by /u/Laurancelaurance [link] [comments]”
“Howdy! I had an expert come look at my lawn to identify grasses and was told it's mostly crabgrass (no real surprise) with some areas of Bermuda. It's basically mixed in here and there and more prominent in some areas than others. Over the next few seasons I'm going to do my best to encourage the Bermuda to take over with killing the crabgrass and weeds, and pre-emergent, and fertilizer, yada yada. I'll likely need to overseed with some Bermuda as well. So what are some good Berm”
“There are several products which say they will kill crab grass with repeated applications, but I haven’t had much luck with them. The best thing to do is apply a pre emergent with a spreader before your grass starts growing such as Scott’s Halts. The crabgrass won’t ever come up in the spring.”
“Herbicides are mixed with surfactants to stay on the plant longer; better absorption and kill. Whereas Tenacity used as a pre-emergent needs to be watered in, and only lasts 28 days...and doesn't stop clover or ivy from spreading on top of where new grass would grow, effectively out crowding it.”
“I have crab grass, clover, and wild violets in my lawn. I want to overseed. The window for that in the Midwest is closing within the next few weeks. I will leave the crab grass alone as quinclorac needs 4 weeks after application to seed and I know it will die as it is an annual. I do have Ortho Weed B Gon Chickweed Clover & Oxalis Killer, which has triclopyr. The bottle says you can seed bare spots after 1 week of application. I want to overseed the entire lawn. Is that too risky to apply th”
“I have a huge patch of crab grass in my lawn, and I’m hoping for tips on how to handle this while overseeding. In my mind I have 3 options: Nuke the patches with weed killer (glyphosate) Try pulling it all by hand or with a tool Leave it be and hope the seeds get under the crab grass and onto the soil Location is Kansas City. If this is a stupid question feel free to call me out submitted by /u/Nice-Force9269 [link] [comments]”
“Kill crabgrass with quinclorac. When it's brown it's dead. Mow low. Bag it all. Rake up dead grass. Disturb the soil with a hard rake. Spread fresh soil. Aerate if you'd like. Spread seed. Rake it in. Spread more seed. Walk on it. Spread light straw on top. Water 3x daily for 2 weeks. Water 2x daily for 1 week. Water 1x daily for 1 week. Water3x a week till it gets cold. Spread prodiamine in early March.”
“It is the second summer at my new house and I’m now starting to feel particular about my the lawn. My front yard is a little over an acre. Given the cost of having a nice lawn, I’m only focusing on the front yard. I’ve never applied pre-emergent but will in the future every spring. I’m in Northern NJ. Besides crabgrass, it’s a mosh posh of grasses and some Japanese stilt grass. The soil is compacted and areas of the lawn are thin. It’s August 18, my plan this week: 1. Mow low 2. Fill holes and l”
“This year crabgrass started to take hold on my lawn with a little clover here and there. I haven't had much time to deal with it while having two young kids and work, even on weekends at times. I'm new to lawn care and want to try to get rid of this crabgrass as best I can or at least get it mostly under control. I plan on staying on top of it this time instead of thinking my landscapers will be of any help. I'm on Long Island, NY and was wondering if its too late to spray and possib”
“Not sure if the light green, flatter grass near my driveway is crabgrass. The blades look wider than the rest of my lawn and spread lower across the ground instead of growing straight up. I’d like some advice on how to deal with it. If I keep mowing them short regularly, will that help control the growth? I use Navimow for regular mowing, so adjusting the height or schedule is flexible if that helps. Would pulling them out or using a weed killer work better? Would pulling them out or using a wee”
“Greetings Lawn care enthusiasts. So, I have some crabgrass and daisy/clovers in my yard. I’ve tried to spray the clovers with 2-4D a couple of times but they seem to die, then come right back. I’ve seen the messages about overseeding the lawn but I have no idea how/what to do. Can someone explain this to me like I’m 5. I live in a nice neighborhood with about half acre of land and I’m terrified that I’ll destroy the yard. I have Bermuda grass and I sprayed the 2-4D about 3 weeks ago. Any advice”
“Location: Metro East / St. Louis area (Zone 6b) Lawn Type: Cool-season mix (Tall Fescue / KBG) Sun Exposure: Full sun Situation: Widespread crabgrass breakout across the yard (see photo). Questions for the Sub: * Given that we are in mid-to-late August, is it worth having this spot-treated with a post-emergent (e.g., Quinclorac) now, or is it better to let the first frost kill it off? * Fall overseeding is still TBD depending on my lawn care provider's schedule. If we do overseed in Septembe”
“If you're going super cheap, ad don't have a sprayer and desire to mix concentrates, etc... Ortho Weed'B'Gon for Crabgrass. Maybe $15-20 per bottle, connects to your hose. Make sure it says for crabgrass, and the ingredients should list Quinclorac as one of them. It's weaker than a DIY solution, so you'll probably need to hit it at least twice.”
“I have some crabgrass taking hold on my lawn(cool). Each area is about 5-10sf, 4 to 5 sections. It's established. Any products that will kill this dead without spending $60? submitted by /u/Rocko9999 [link] [comments]”
“S. Alabama - Zone 8b - common Bermuda -Celsius + Drive XLR8 application on 6-23 -Aerated and PGF complete applied on 6-30 -Crabgrass died off after 2-3 weeks (first pic) -Crabgrass started coming back about a week after it was all gone -Drive XLR8 second application on 7-29 -PGR applied on 8-2 -second and third pic are from today, just applied Scott’s green max in attempt to get some color back. I’m looking for advice on how to proceed with getting rid of the crabgrass. After the second applicat”
“Easier to seed if the crabgrass is dead. Crabgrass growth will slow down as weather cools off but it’s still just there taking up space.”
“I ordered trimec, I plan to use it later in the season because I’m going to overseed here soon.”