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How to get rid of Crab Grass and Nut Grass? It's taking over my Lawn.

#1

JOE.G

JOE.G

Hi, I have about 2 acres of lawn, Over the last few years I have had to dig up certain areas, for different projects, After re planting the lawn in those spots I seem to have a lot of Crab Grass and Nut Grass, The are some big patches where the crab grass is thick. I am getting annoyed with it since it grows so much faster then the normal grass. What are my options?


#2

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

From Scotts:

Prevention and Maintenance

Set Mowing Height to High
Higher mowing encourages lawn grasses to shade and prevent the germination of crabgrass seeds. A deep, thick lawn seldom contains much crabgrass. You can discourage crabgrass by mowing at the proper height for your grass type.

Deep Water Your Lawn
Weeds are better adapted to adverse growing conditions than most lawn grasses. Shallow and infrequent watering will only weaken the roots of your grass, while allowing the crabgrass to thrive and take over. Water lawns deeply and less frequently. When you water, wet the soil to a depth of 4-6 inches. This usually requires the equivalent of 1/2-1 inch of rainfall.

(Crabgrass in the Lawn: Kill, Control & Prevent It)


#3

S

sgmgarden

I agree with the first comment. I would definitely suggest you try and turn the mowing height right up and see if it helps. Hope it does :smile:


#4

JOE.G

JOE.G

Id like something that I put into a Spreader and put it out on the lawn, How high do you guys recommend me to set the blade high on the mower?


#5

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

Id like something that I put into a Spreader and put it out on the lawn, How high do you guys recommend me to set the blade high on the mower?

How high do you set it now?

Also you could buy this: Scotts Halts Crabgrass Preventer

scotts_halts_crabgrass_preventer_std.jpg


#6

JOE.G

JOE.G

1.5 to 2 inches, I know it prob is to low.


#7

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

1.5 to 2 inches, I know it prob is to low.

Yeah I do 3 inches on most lawns. Cutting it high will let the grass choke out the weeds.


#8

P

panabiker

It's too late for Crabgrass Preventer or other chemicals at this time of the year so don't waste your money now. The good news is that the crabgrass will start to die in mid to late September. They are annual grass but they will leave seeds in the soil. Next spring, you can then apply the Crabgrass Preventer to stop the crabgrass seed from germinating. Cutting the grass higher will help especially in hot weather days.


#9

JOE.G

JOE.G

Thanks Any brand Killer to reccommend?


#10

P

possum

The Scotts is fine. You have to follow a lawncare calendar to use things like crabgrass PREVENTER. It has to go on before the crabgrass can germinate. You cannot seed grass seed and use that preventer as your seed will have trouble germinating. First you really need to thicken your grass.


#11

JOE.G

JOE.G

I do regular Fert and Lime in the spring, I may need to stop cutting it so short, I just like the look of a low cut lawn. The problem started when I started to dig up the lawn and then re seeding, I did a lot of drainage work and built some barns and what not which mess up the lawn. Then Iseeded with what ever I could get my hands on, all the seeds said 99 % Weed free.


#12

P

possum

Weed seeds can lay in the ground for many years and then germinate when conditions are right. Birds, tires, critters two and four legged, wind, water, seed, all bring weed seeds. If your grass is established crabgrass can be kept down. Cool season grass has a lot of time to grow and get thick while crabgrass is dead and the seed dormant. I do not mind what comes on in August and September as it is gone before long and does green up some bare spots plus give something for the grass seed to bed into.


#13

S

stygz

Weed b gone with crabgrass killer for now. In the spring (about end of march) put down halts or other pre emergent. Then put down another application of pre emergent about two months later.


#14

D

DocZero

There is a product called Image, that you can get at your local CO-OP or places that sale lawn chemicals. It comes in small packets of powder that you mix in water and use in your sprayer. This stuff works very well for both crabgrass and nutsedge. The big downside is it very expensive compared to the amount of area you can cover. The active ingredient in this product provides a much better kill than the old and now not produced active ingredient MSMA. I have a Bermuda yard and I use a crabgrass program of preemergent in the early spring and a post emergent midsummer when the preemergent starts to lose its effectiveness. The increased mowing height will help in the cool season grasses but not in Bermuda. The taller you let burmuda grow the thinner it will become and this will only give more places for the crabgrass and other weeds to take root. So its very important to use the appropriate weed control method for each type of turf. I hope this helps or even makes any sense:)


#15

P

paul11

Is it a easy way to kill everything and start over, especially if the lawn is rough?


#16

P

Pumper54

Is it a easy way to kill everything and start over, especially if the lawn is rough?

Just saw this is a way older post, sorry about that
Paul check out this link as it may help you. It should be noted that his program is in the Texas Gulf coast area so the chemicals and products he talks about may not be the best for your area.
http://www.randylemmon.com/lawns/gardenline-sod.html

Tom


#17

A

Alaguy

I think Image is for warm season grasses, I doubt he has that grass in Eastern NY.


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