Getting rid/control of crab grass

Discussion in 'HortForum' started by Eyeris, Aug 8, 2006.

  1. Eyeris

    Eyeris Active Member

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    Not sure where to post this...

    Does anyone have any success stories of ridding thier lawn of crabgrass? We've been fertilizing / watering regularly to stregthen roots ect... and have tried the corn based crabgrass preventer from our local garden store...is there anything else out there that works any better... besides re-sodding?
    Thanks,
    e.
     
  2. jimmyq

    jimmyq Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    consider spot spraying with a non selective herbicide such as Roundup, then reseed with turf seed. If you are watering the lawn, make certain to provide infrequent deep watering rather than frequent shallow waterings. There may be specific crabgrass herbicides available to you in your region also.
     
  3. chowntown

    chowntown Active Member

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    Roundup is a post emergent broad spectrum herbicide that might kill your crabgrass but will also kill your lawn as well. If you feel you need to use a herbicide use Killex which will kill any broadleaf herbs in your lawn. Refer to this webpage:
    http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7456.html

    -Eric
     
  4. jimmyq

    jimmyq Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Chowntown, roundup is indeed a broad spectrum plant killer, thats why you need to reseed the area after the crabgrass is dead. the website you linked to is indeed good information but since it is USA based the checmicals are not necessarily available to canadian consumers.
    The cultural controls are least damaging of course and those should be pursued prior to use of harsh chemicals.

    Killex is not registered for, nor does it (as far as I know) kill crabgrass.
     
  5. JohnT

    JohnT Member

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    Crab grass can be a real PITA to those of us who like well kept lawns. There is a specific crab grass killer that kills the problem and not the surrounding grass. It's called Green Light
    MSMA Crabgrass Killer
    and it works well and is much better than the competing Ortho product.
    07332w.jpg
    With the annual type of crabgrass you also have to worry about their seeds. Products that contain tuppersan (siduron) will prevent germination of all seeds in your lawn, including crabgrass, but also turf grass so don't use if you have recently overseeded the lawn. An organic alternative to preventing seed germination is use corn gluten meal you can get an ag supply outlet.

    You can also use fertilizer products that contain germination inhibitors, but if they don't contain tuppersan don't buy them.
     
  6. jimweed

    jimweed Active Member 10 Years

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    Killex won't kill crabgrass, but in Ontario you can buy Dimension, its a granular crabgrass / fertilizer, like a weednfeed, I think it may be pre- and post- mergent. Also available in BC and Ont, is Acclaim Super, it works awesome as a selective grassy weed killer. I use it all the time as contact control at the 3rd tiller leaf stage of crabgrass in June. And, depending on your lot size, if its not too big, your local lawncare company wouldn't charge much more than 50-70$ to rid it for you. In Ont crabgrass control sprays are as common as a spring fertilizing! Lucky for BC crabgrass is not all that common yet! Jim
     
  7. jimmyq

    jimmyq Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Jim. nice to get some input from an applicator. to my knowledge, crabgrass doesnt grow in the lower mainland (Vancouver area) although it certainly coud/can in the interior of BC. We get couchgrass and quackgrass localy yes? does the crabgrass control keep them in check? and do you agree that proper cultural practice is also the best first defense?
     
  8. jimweed

    jimweed Active Member 10 Years

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    Paul, you would be surprised how much crabgrass is slowly spreading around the lower mainland. I treat about a dozen lawns each year around Twsn & Rmd, and used to do a few at W36th and Crown. Unfortunately Acclaim Super does not have any effect on couch or quack grasses. Keeping your lawn thick and healthy with proper cultural practice, as you say Paul, definately is the best first defence. It always seems to creep into bare patches in your lawn, then spreads rapidly choking out turf grasses.
    http://www.growercentral.com/index....familyID=110116&CFID=3357049&CFTOKEN=92583339
    Here's Evergro's link to Acclaim's label, and what other grasses it controls. Jim
     

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