Crabgrass is an annual weed that germinates in the late spring. It usually pops up when the soil temperature reaches 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit at a 4" depth for 5 or more consecutive days. Considering that one clump of crabgrass can hold up to 150,000 seedlings, then it’s no wonder keeping it at bay can be a challenge.
The issue with crabgrass is that it stands out primarily if found in a well maintained yard. So, to eliminate ate it and prevent it in the future, you need to learn more about the plant.
The primary difference between crabgrass and ordinary turf grass is that crabgrass is known as an annual grass. Annuals are plants that grow from seed to seed during the growing season, but dies off at the end of the year.
For lawns in Omaha, this usually means that crabgrass is germinating in early to mid Spring.
Why Do You Get So Much?
Crabgrass thrives in both sandy and clay rich soil, where the grass is at its weakest point. It’s where the thin grass allows for direct sunlight, which can help crabgrass germinate. Another cause of crabgrass in your lawn is sometimes excess water and phosphorous levels that are too high.
Why Should You Want to Get Rid of It?
In a nutshell, because it's unsitely. If you want to practice proper lawn care and management, then crabgrass should become your number one foe. Not only that, but if you don't deal with the crabgrass in the spring, then it can completely overcome your entire lawn, especially during the hot summer months.
How to Prevent It?
In order to prevent crabgrass from sprouting in your yard you will want to give your lawn the upper hand. This means you should help increase your lawn’s health and ability to thrive, which will stop crabgrass from occurring. You can do this providing your lawn with proper growing conditions starting with the soil. It is also essential that you have the proper type of grass for your location. This is so your specific climate can assist your grass grow to its full potential.
There are other things that can be done to stop crabgrass from occurring. One such way is by adjusting the deck height on your lawn mower to match the grass's ideal height. It’s also important to note that the longer the grass, the deeper the roots. This means there is less area for crabgrass roots to hide in. You can also begin aeration and overseeding during the beginning of spring as this reduces compaction and adds more grass seed. Aerating your Omaha lawn creates a perfect environment for the grass seed to flourish.
Another way to eliminate crabgrass is to perform frequent soil tests. This will help you understand whether your soil has the correct amount of nutrients you need. If the criteria come back saying your soil is low on specific compounds and nutrients, you can always get organic fertilizer, which can fix this.
