Zach Hendrix - CTO, Entrepreneur & Co-Founder at GreenPal | GreenPal
Homeowners often find themselves battling crabgrass, a persistent weed that disrupts the appearance of their lawns. A recent survey involving 272 homeowners revealed diverse opinions on the most effective methods to control this common lawn nuisance.
According to the survey, a majority of respondents, accounting for 50.37%, believe that maintaining a healthy lawn, either independently or with professional help, is the best way to prevent crabgrass. "Most homeowners, 137 respondents (50.37%), said that maintaining a healthy lawn, either by themselves or by hiring a pro, is the most effective way to prevent crabgrass," stated the survey results.
Pre-emergent herbicides are favored by 29.78% of participants as an effective measure against crabgrass. Meanwhile, post-emergent herbicides are used by 9.93% of those surveyed. A smaller group, representing nearly 7%, prefers manually picking crabgrass by hand as their primary method of prevention.
Crabgrass is identified as a warm-season annual weed in the genus Digitaria and can produce up to 150,000 seeds per plant. It thrives in late spring and summer but typically dies off with the first frost of autumn.
The survey highlights that good lawn care practices are essential in preventing crabgrass growth. These include proper mowing techniques, appropriate watering schedules based on soil type, overseeding with cool-season grasses in fall, and using nitrogen-heavy fertilizers during fall and spring.
Chemical treatments such as pre-emergent herbicides can be applied when soil temperatures are below about 50 degrees Fahrenheit in early spring to stop seed germination. For existing infestations, post-emergent herbicides should be used on small and actively growing plants.
For those who prefer natural remedies over chemical solutions, options include using corn gluten meal as a pre-emergent herbicide and applying organic mulch to prevent seed germination. Additionally, spraying young plants with a water-vinegar solution may also prove effective.
Overall, effective prevention involves consistent lawn care practices combined with timely application of herbicides or natural remedies for those avoiding chemicals.