grady – posted 17 July 2008 10:49
My lawn and surrounding property, about 20 acres, has acute crabgrass infestations. Would it be of any bendfit to use a postemergent this late in the year or just let the frost kill it and apply a preemergent next year? The crabrgrss is mature and has spread rapidy this summer.
silvaworks – posted 10 July 2009 15:27
Why does crabgrass get such a negative response from lawngrowers?Newly come into lawn maintenance myself, I was just wondering why? While I admit that there are prettier grasses out there, here in the desert, its hard to keep anything not native alive without a whole lot of fuss. Crabgrass is hearty & seems to grow with little encouragement.
So, is it the “crab” in the name?Is is the way that it grows?Its been referred to in other posts as an “infestation”, so is there something negative or dangerous about it?Or is it that it is invasive? (In other words, due to it hardiness, crabgrass is dangerous competition to a cultured lawn?)
It was always in the lawns of the military bases that I grew up on. The three-stemmed seed tops always reminded me of helicoptor blades. And what with my father being a helicoptor pilot, there has always been a loving, familiar association with it.Other than it not being as pretty or its invasiveness, what’s the problem with crabgrass? (And by the way, I’m not defending crabgrass, either. I’m looking for a more efficient lawn alternative as we speak. That is, if there’s such a thing.)
Perhaps, like Darwin’s theory, crabgrass has evolved/adapted better than most cultured efforts? Is crabgrass the “uncivilized” country cousin of grasses? Is it a grass? Is there anything better out there that’ll beat it on its own turf?What say you “seasoned” sages?-silvaworks_
Turfguy_UF – posted 15 July 2009 13:42
Grady,As long as the crab grass is not choking out the existing desired grass as of right now I would let the frost wipe it out this fall/winter, and apply the preemergence like you suggested. Unless you want some sort of control right now there really is no point. Mature crab grass can be very difficult to remove.
Silvaworks,Crab grass is considered a weed to many homeowners, parks, golf courses, and other facilities with high maintenance grasses because as you mentioned it is unsightly with its seed heads, doesn’t look like other grasses (maybe St. Augustine), and can choke out other grasses in harsh environments.
Crab grass is a grass. But its growth habit (bunched) is not suitable for growing a nice lawn. If it ever fills in, it would take a very long time.
Crabgrass can be a real headache to many turf managers as it can be hard to control once it has emerged and becomes mature. Even multiple applications of Round-up must be used to kill mature Crabgrass.
Oh, and it cost turf managers a lot of money to control it so that is why most people dislike it .
Hope that helps,TurfGuy
grady – posted 15 July 2009 14:59
Thank you Turfguy – UF. What preemergence would you recommend and when would you apply.
Grady
turfgrass – posted 15 July 2009 19:59
grady, depends on where you live as to when your first frost is going to occurif you’re in the south like me it could be a whileI’m assuming since you posted this in the bermuda forum that you have bermuda? So just spray with MSMA for postemergent control, may take a couple apps.Pre-emergent options are plenty…pendimethalin, prodiamine, dithiopyrTiming depends on soil temp., I’m in zone 8 and normally apply late Feb.-mid March for summer annual control, and mid-September for winter annual control
dhutch469 – posted 12 January 2010 13:49
Pre-emergent options are plenty…pendimethalin, prodiamine, dithiopyr
where can i find these emergents? i use msma and it seems good but i would like to kill before it comes. hehe.