Crabgrass can be a persistent and frustrating weed to deal with in lawns and gardens. Here are several methods you can use to get rid of crabgrass:
1. **Hand Pulling**: If you have a small infestation of crabgrass, you can manually pull it out by hand. Be sure to pull out the entire plant, including the roots, to prevent regrowth.
2. **Mowing**: Regularly mowing your lawn can help prevent crabgrass from spreading and producing seeds. Keep your lawn mower blade at a height of around 2-3 inches to promote healthy turf growth and shade out the crabgrass.
3. **Apply Pre-emergent Herbicides**: Pre-emergent herbicides are applied before crabgrass seeds germinate to prevent them from growing. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in the spring before soil temperatures reach 55-60°F (13-16°C), which is when crabgrass seeds typically start to germinate. Follow the instructions on the product label carefully.
4. **Apply Post-emergent Herbicides**: Post-emergent herbicides are used to kill crabgrass plants that have already emerged. Selective herbicides that target grassy weeds like crabgrass while sparing desirable turfgrass species are available. Apply post-emergent herbicides when crabgrass is actively growing, typically in late spring or early summer.
5. **Improve Lawn Health**: Maintain a healthy lawn by watering deeply and infrequently, fertilizing appropriately, and aerating as needed. Healthy, dense turfgrass can help prevent crabgrass from establishing itself.
6. **Hand Watering and Weeding**: Crabgrass often grows in areas of lawns that receive excess water or have poor drainage. Adjust your watering practices to avoid overwatering, and improve drainage if necessary. Additionally, regularly inspect your lawn for signs of crabgrass and manually remove any plants that appear.
7. **Reseed or Sod Bare Patches**: Crabgrass often takes hold in areas of lawns where the turf is thin or bare. Reseed or sod these areas to promote healthy turf growth and crowd out crabgrass.
8. **Mulch Garden Beds**: Apply a layer of mulch to garden beds to suppress weed growth, including crabgrass.
9. **Use Organic Remedies**: Some organic methods for controlling crabgrass include using corn gluten meal as a pre-emergent herbicide or applying vinegar-based solutions as a spot treatment for small patches of crabgrass.
10. **Professional Help**: If you have a severe or persistent crabgrass problem, or if you're unsure about the best approach to take, consider seeking the assistance of a professional lawn care service or horticulturist.