[jamesn162]

Guys i have a serious serious crab grass problem.
When i say serious i mean that 90% of the lawn is crab grass.
It is so thick that it wont even allow fertlizer to penatrate it.
What do i do????????

[Greensmith]

Do you have a pest license? One option is to kill off the lawn and start fresh. Sod with pre-em/fert.

How big is the lawn?

[jamesn162]

yes i do i have a pest lic. but i have never encountered a problem like this one

[jamesn162]

The lawn is a little over 9,000 sq. ft

[NCSULandscaper]

you have something other than crabgrass, because crabgrass has not germinated yet...........are you sure its not bermuda grass?

[TrickyDick]

you have something other than crabgrass, because crabgrass has not germinated yet...........are you sure its not bermuda grass?

My first thought as well but since James is in zone 4 he shouldn't have any grass yet. I'm no turf expert but I'm guessing you're looking at last years dead crabgrass?

You can either wait and kill the whole thing in the summer and start over at the end of the summer or you could try preemergent and see what comes up. If you get good control with the pre em you can slice seed when it's time. Whatever you do make sure they know that they will need to continue with a pre-em in spring to keep it from coming back.

[jamesn162]

yea tricky its the old dead crab that is taking over the property sorry i didnt specify. I think i am going to just offer to till it up, rockhound, and hydroseed it.

[GLAN]

James


You have to prevent the crabgrass seeds from germinating....and as severe as what you are describing.........one spring application is not going to do it......

As soon as you can seed.........seed. Don't wait for optimum weather....you will want to seed just before that. Use a try Rye.....If you have 2, 3 or maybe 4 weeks, doubt 4........after seeding and ahead of when crabgrass will germinate......Apply the preventer cut the rate back 1/3. Apply again in 4 weeks. Cut the rate back to 1/2 and apply again 4 - 6 weeks later......then again 4 - 6 weeks later

You will probably get a late summer germination, won't be so bad. Do a good fall seeding...........next spring do the first 2 minimum as described above........do the third would be best. This second year......late summer go and spot post emergent.

Tilling, rockhounding is not the answer........it is the answer to renovate the soil........but you need to eradicate as much of the crabgrass seeds before doing any major soil modifications.


BTW....I know what I am telling you for applications is not as labeled........I do know what works

[TrickyDick]

Damn that's way better than my advice.

[NCSULandscaper]

even the old crabgrass shouldnt be there once frost hits it, it breaks down pretty quick since its a majority water, it will disappear, but the bermuda grass will go dowmant and be brown but will stay thick.........if you pick some up it up, does it have runners on it? or is it clumped?

[GLAN]

I don't think Bermuda is going to grow that far north in region 4

[jamesn162]

thanks guys for all the great advice i think that glan hit the nail on the head! Glan thank you very much for saving my a$$ and to the rest of you guys thanks alot i considered every bit of your advice.