turfgrass

Crabgrass in San Augustine

Crabgrass in San Augustine

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Garpster – posted 02 September 2004 21:14

I live in Southern California and last year my 3 year old lawn (from San Augustine plugs) looked fine, but crabgrass had begun to infiltrate it. Despite treatment with pre-emergents, it persisted. Then it took advantage of the Augustine’s resting period and spread, invisibly throughout the thatch. This year it is winning.

Now what? Even the Weed-B-Gone anti-crabgrass treatment says “Not For Use With San Augustine”!

I’d appreciate any advice EXCEPT tear up the lawn and start again!Thanks

[This message has been edited by Garpster (edited 06 September 2004).]

Garpster – posted 02 September 2004 21:17

But is it REALLY crabgrass, you will ask. I will take a pic tomorrow during the day and post it, if I can figure out the procedure.

Dchall_San_Antonio – posted 03 September 2004 11:58

You can usually stop weeds including crabgrass in St Aug by following these three “rules.”

1. Water deeply and infrequently. Deeply means at least an hour in every zone, all at once. Infrequently means monthly during the cool months and no more than weekly during the hottest part of summer. If your grass looks dry before the month/week is up, water longer next time. Deep watering grows deep, drought resistant roots. Infrequent watering allows the top layer of soil to dry completely which kills off many shallow rooted weeds.

2. Mow at the highest setting on your mower. Most grasses are the most dense when mowed tall. Bermuda, centipede, and bent grasses are the most dense when mowed at the lowest setting on your mower. Dense grass shades out weeds and uses less water when tall. Dense grass feeds the deep roots you’re developing in 1 above.

3. Fertilize regularly. I fertilize 4 times per year using organic fertilizer. Which fertilizer you use is much less important than numbers 1 and 2 above.

Your crabgrass is about to die out for the winter. Start your mowing and watering program now. You could use a preemergent in Feb to try and actually kill the sprouting crabgrass as a third line of defense.

ted – posted 05 September 2004 19:49

a pre-emergent????

Garpster – posted 06 September 2004 13:11

Hi Dchall_San_Antonio,I thank you so much for giving me a battle plan. I was thinking of turning my lawn into a roller rinklet, but you give me hope to carry on! 🙂

BTW, I did send in 2 pics to Phil that showed an overall look at the battleground and a closeup of the enemy for possible positive identification, but I don’t know where they got posted.

Thanks again.

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