Many homeowners are all-too familiar with this coarse, sprawling weed. Crabgrass is one of the most common invasive grass species in the world, and if left unchecked it can utterly overtake a lawn. Originally introduced in North America as a food source brought by Eurasian emigrants, crab grass has since outlived its usefulness and become a persistent nuisance in lawns and gardens all over the continent. When it comes to managing crabgrass, the best offense is a good defense. Crabgrass will struggle to survive for more than a season in a healthy lawn, so your best bet at avoiding crabgrass invasions is to maintain the health of your lawn.
Mow Higher
If you notice crabgrass beginning to creep into your lawn, raise your mower deck to a higher setting. When your grass is allowed to grow higher, it will shade the soil beneath it, making it more difficult for crabgrass to germinate its seeds.
Choose Climate-Appropriate Grass Species
One of the easiest ways to promote the health of your lawn is to be careful to plant species that are well adapted to the climate conditions in your area. These grasses will have an easier time competing with crabgrass and other weed species, inhibiting their growth and slowing their spread.
Water Deeply and Infrequently
Watering your lawn lightly every day can actually damage the root systems of your turf. Crabgrass, on the other hand, is adept at growing in unfavorable conditions such as these. By watering deeply once or twice a week instead, you’ll make your grass grow healthier and stronger and rob crabgrass of the chance to take root.
At Suburban Lawn Sprinkler, we’ve been keeping lawns healthy and weed-free for over 50 years. Want to learn more about how a modern irrigation system can contribute to the ongoing health and well-being of your lawn? Give us a call today for more information.
Leave a Reply