August 14th

By Mutt Mulligan

Tips for Controlling Crabgrass, Naturally

Crabgrass is a common summertime weed that can make homeowners, well…crabby!

Crabgrass typically begins to flower and seed in July and dies with the first frost of fall. But what’s the best way to control crabgrass during these in-between months? Here are a few tips:

• The first line of attack is to have healthy green grass, which will help choke out crabgrass.
• Secondly, mow frequently enough that you don’t remove more than a third of the leaf blade at a time. Also, don’t mow below about three inches.  This helps deprive crabgrass of light needed to grow, and helps your lawn be healthier so it can protect itself.
• Crabgrass loves bare spots, so seed those in during the fall.
• Since crabgrass is a shallow weed, watering more deeply and less frequently will help keep it at bay.