Unwelcome Crabgrass' Spring Return Calls for Herbicide

Summary

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The arrival of spring also signals the return of crabgrass, a warm-season annual weed commonly found in Midwestern lawns. The ideal control of crabgrass is a thick blanket of turfgrass; however, if you have crabgrass, you probably don't have that defense and will need to rely on herbicides.

Crabgrass starts germinating when soil temperatures are about 60 degrees at the quarter-inch level for five to seven consecutive days. Germination continues until the soil becomes too warm - around 95 degrees. Pre-emergent herbicides prevent grass development from germinating crabgrass seeds and other grassy annual weeds. The new shoots and roots of germinating seeds absorb the herbicide and are killed. April 1 is usually a target date for application of pre- emergent crabgrass herbicides in Central Illinois. Pre-emergent control applications are recommended when soil temperatures are around 50 degrees for at least three consecutive days. Another half- strength application may be made six to eight weeks after the first. Irrigation is generally required for the control to be effective. Follow product application directions carefully for safety and optimal product performance.

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Extract

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Unwelcome Crabgrass' Spring Return Calls for Herbicide

Using forsythia bloom as a timing guide for herbicide application is not dependabl...

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