While smooth crabgrass “will lack the hairs except for a few hairs at the collar region near the membranous ligule,” big crabgrass is known to have hairy stems and leaves. However, they both look pretty much the same and are opportunistic weeds that can grow in practically any place.
No matter what kind it is, you can instantly recognize a crabgrass problem. Because crabgrass typically “greens up,” or grows more quickly than other grass, and has distinctly thicker, brilliant green-blue blades, it is easy to identify. Crabgrass seems clumpy or spotty on your lawn because it branches out from a core location. The crabgrass clumps will begin to come back more quickly than the rest of your lawn a few days following a new mow.
Read also: How To Get Rid Of Whiteflies From Your Garden Plants
How to Prevent Crabgrass
When it comes to crabgrass, prevention is key since once it takes hold of your lawn, it’s hard to get rid of. There are several ways to prevent crabgrass, including utilizing preventative items like pre-emergent herbicides and keeping up a good lawn care regimen.
Mowing
Preventing crabgrass (and other weeds!) from taking over can be achieved in part by using pre-emergent herbicides, maintaining your lawn, and watering it frequently enough. Therefore, you’re already well on your way to success if your goal is to maintain healthy, dense turf simply.
All of this indicates that mowing is crucial in this area. Crabgrass establishment and germination are more likely when your lawn is kept too short.
Irrigation
This is a simple rule to abide by: Just give it a good watering once a week. Light, daily irrigations favor crabgrass, non-drought-hardy turf, and shallow rooting. Watering until the soil is wet enough for roots to take hold, then stopping until the first indication of drought stress appears (When the turf turns bluish gray and footprints are still visible after walking on it, you’ll know it’s time.)
Most people, particularly in the South, agree that you should water your yard earlier in the day (before 11 a.m.) and for longer lengths of time throughout the summer.
Mulching
Another way to prevent crabgrass is to mulch, particularly around trees and shrub beds, as this will obstruct sunlight that is necessary for germination and establishment. Compost refuse or wood chips or nuggets can be used.
Natural and Organic Remedies for Crabgrass
Water Boiling
Pouring boiling water over isolated spots of crabgrass is the simplest approach we’ve heard for effectively killing it. To completely kill the crabgrass, you may need to repeat this several times.
Vinegar
Pour vinegar over the weed. The plant should not be able to tolerate the acidity if you do this repeatedly; in theory, it will be destroyed from root to top.
Acid Citric
You may also buy citric acid powder online or soak the plant with a mixture of vinegar and lemon juice.
Gluten in Corn Meal
After dethatching your grass in the early spring, you can apply maize meal gluten as a natural pre-emergent herbicide, though research on its efficacy is conflicting.
Read also: Is Melted Snow Good For Watering Houseplants