Keep your yard mown at 2-3 inches.
Types of Crabgrass
Good watering technique is an
important strategy for eliminating
crabgrass.  Less frequent, but more
thorough, watering is the way to go.  
Let the water soak in 4-6 inches each
time you water so that your turf
grass can develop a strong, deep
root system.  Crabgrass has shallow
roots and infrequent watering allows
the soil to dry out and deprive the
crabgrass roots.  Good for your turf
grass; bad for your crabgrass!
Crabgrass is an annoying weed that mars a perfect
lawn and irritates the perfect lawntender.  Cutting
your grass at a high level will hinder sunlight from
reaching the shallow roots of crabgrass and will
hinder growth.  Good watering techniques will aid the
growth of desirable turf grass while inhibiting
crabgrass, and overseeding your lawn with desirable
seed will crowd out unwanted crabgrass.  There are a
number of preemergent crabgrass herbicides
available that will kill the weed only if it is applied at
the correct time.  If you decide to manually pull
crabgrass make sure to remove the entire root
system.  Good luck in your crusade against crabgrass!
Water Deeply
There are two crabgrass species.  
The first, Large Crabgrass grows tall
and can reach 2-3 feet.  It has long thin blades and is as obvious as a seven-foot
basketball player on a subway.

In comparison Smooth Crabgrass, also called Creeping Crabgrass has dull blunt
leaves and aggressively grows horizontally rather than vertically.  Both types of
crabgrass grow in large clumps with finger-like branching.
Get Rid of Crabgrass
Cut Your Grass High
Keep your grass cut at 3”.  Crabgrass needs sunlight to thrive and a higher
lawn of healthy turf grass will prevent light from penetrating to the ground.  The
sun-starved crabgrass will die.  It will find life difficult in the shade while your
desirable turf grass will thrive as it soaks up the glorious rays.
Believe it or not, there is a proper
technique to pulling crabgrass.  The
key is to rip out the entire root
system with one pull.  The best time
to pull crabgrass is when the soil is
wet, perhaps after a steady soaking
rain.  You will be amazed at how
many fingers emanate from one
plant.  Gather them up in one hand
and slowly yank, making sure to pull
deeply.  You may want to employ a
weeding tool or pliers to get a firm
grip.  Pulling crabgrass can be a
serenely satisfying garden chore
once you get the hang of it!
Pulling Crabgrass
You can prevent crabgrass by applying a preemergent chemical, but you must
do it at the right time.  Apply the chemical too early and it will wash out of the
soil.  Apply it too late and it is of no use at all.  Crabgrass germinates when soil
temperatures reach 55-60 degrees in the spring.  Check with a local agriculture
extension service to find out when that occurs in your area.  A good rule of
thumb is that crabgrass germinates when lilacs bloom so apply the herbicide to
your lawn just before the lilacs burst out in all their springtime glory!
Preemergent Crabgrass Herbicides
The best way to prevent crabgrass is by
keeping your lawn full of healthy desirable
grass.  Look for spotty areas and overseed to
promote a fuller thicker lawn.  Overseeding is
not an easy task because each spot needs to
be properly prepared in order for the new seed
to germinate.  However, a long term diligent
strategy of overseeding will generally promote
a healthy weed free lawn over time.
Overseed Your Lawn
Sites and Blogs about Crabgrass
A few of our favorite crabgrass  sites.  Check them out for great information.
About.com Landscaping                              Qkport Crabgrass                                                              
All About Lawns                                          University of California Agriculture
Informative Crabgrass Video
There are excellent products available online.   
Amazon offers a comprehensive list of brand name
products at inexpensive cost in their Home and
Garden Store.  Amazon is the largest online
purveyor of quality products.
Crabgrass is the bane of crazy lawn perfectionists and others seeking a
beautifully manicured yard.  Crabgrass is a stubborn weed that grows rapidly
while destroying the attractiveness of a well groomed lawn.  Wailing,
teeth-gnashing and general hair-pulling are typical responses of many a
harried homeowner.  Of course, the rest of us (the sane ones) realize that
crabgrass can be easily controlled.
You Can Get Rid of Crabgrass
Smooth Crabgrass
Large Crabgrass
Overseed your lawn.
Get Rid Of It All
Custom Search
A unique view on how to get rid of
virtually anything and everything.
What do you want to get rid of?
Home > Gardening > Get Rid of Crabgrass
How to Get Rid of ...
Canker Sores
Blissfully unaware
This article is intended to educate and entertain.  The author of this site does not accept responsibility for any damage or injury
resulting from information dispersed on this site.  Always check with experts when dealing with dangerous substances and situations.
Other Random Articles
Wasps are no laughing matter.
The German Cockroach is the most common pest in American homes.
Jiminy Cricket, this is a cricket.
Hi, I want to inject you with my digestive enzymes.
Termites are often called white ants.
The ever not popular centipede
Scorpions look pretty cool.
Ear wax forms at the ear canal entrance.
Gas
Blissfully unaware
Poison Ivy
Alphabetical List