The logical explanation for how crabgrass got its name is because it makes homeowners really crabby, right? Bet you’re crabby right now, just thinking about it.
This pesky weed is a huge pain, showing up out of nowhere, hanging around like a deadbeat relative, and making your pretty green lawn look like you don’t care. (We know you care.)
Actually, there’s a better reason it’s called crabgrass. We’ll get to that in a minute, along with the other questions you have, like, what’s the best way to get rid of crabgrass?
Let’s cheer you up.
Crabgrass in Idaho: What Is It?
Let’s be clear: we hate crabgrass. But this warm-season annual has a pretty impressive stunt: each crabgrass plant produces as many as 150,000 seeds. That’s amazing.
Those pesky seeds stay behind, ready to germinate the following spring and start the crabby cycle all over again. Even seeds that don't germinate right away can hang around to sprout in future years.
Ugh.
How Do You Know If It’s Crabgrass?
The leaves of crabgrass are broader than grass blades and it grows in clumps close to the ground. The stems grow outward rather than up, and look like the legs of a crab.
How To Get Rid of Crabgrass in Idaho
The key is preventing those stubborn seeds we mentioned earlier from becoming more seed-producing plants.
Pre-emergent treatment is crucial in early spring — targeting those seeds as they germinate and take root in the soil. Kill the seeds, prevent the weeds.
But like most weeds, crabgrass is stubborn and can sneak through even if you applied pre-emergent, especially in thinner areas or along edges of your lawn. These invaders can be spot treated later.
How to Control Crabgrass
How do you keep crabgrass from showing up in the first place? Your best defense is a healthy lawn.
Weeds hate a thick, healthy lawn. Dense grass crowds out weeds and blocks the sunlight their seeds need to sprout.
Weeds like crabgrass love to push through struggling lawns to take over weak spots. So your best line of defense is to keep your grass thick, lush, and healthy with a lawn care service program for healthy, strong roots.
Those weed seeds will have a tougher time sprouting.
How to control crabgrass? Follow these tips for a healthy lawn:
Water Deeply, Less Often
If you water often, but lightly, your lawn’s roots will be shallow. They have to stay near the soil surface in order to get water. That encourages weed seeds to sprout. But water too little, and the lawn suffers while weeds that love drier soil thrive.
So, provide your lawn with infrequent, deep soakings. Lawns need about one inch of water per week. How to tell? Set an empty container on the lawn to gauge rainfall.
Mow Higher
If you mow your grass too short, it has a hard time producing the nutrients it needs to thrive. It also lets sunlight in, which helps crabgrass seeds sprout and grow.
Mow at the highest level — usually between 2 and 4 inches.
Is Your Lawn Ready for a New Best Friend?
Weeds are tricky. Nobody can promise you a completely weed-free lawn.
But you can help prevent crabgrass and other weeds by making sure your lawn is healthy in the first place.
Make it easy on yourself. Choose a professional lawn care service in Idaho Falls, or Boise, ID that bundles your yard’s most-needed treatments into one convenient, no-fuss plan.
Fertilizing, weed control, grub control. Done. We’ve got your back.
Got a few minutes? That’s all you need to get started.
To request a lawn care quote you can fill out this form or call us at (208) 656-9131.
Then kick back and relax in your healthy, thriving yard.
Image Source: Sprinkler head
