Crabgrass in the lawn

Immature crabgrass growing in late spring on golf course in Gurnee

Late July and August brings hot and dry sunny days which are perfect for the development and growth of ugly crabgrass.  Crabgrass is an annual weed (or undesirable grass) that is native to the Antioch-Gurnee-Waukegan-Lake Forest area and grows every year from seed left behind or blown onto the lawn during the previous summer.  The germination of the seed begins in late spring as soil temperatures reach about 55 degrees.  This is usually around mid-April.  Crabgrass is best controlled through a pre-emergent application of herbicide (dithiopyr or pendimethalin) in early spring before the soil temperatures get to 55.  These products generally stay active in the soil for about 60 days giving the lawn a good defense against annual weeds when applied early in the season.  Unfortunately they also prevent desirable bluegrass and rye grass to germinate so be careful in scheduling seeding projects in spring if using a pre-emergent.

 Crabgrass actively growing in Gurnee lawn mid-summer-notice the horizontal growth

During May and June the crabgrass seed is germinating and begins tillering usually unnoticed under the taller turf canopy.  As the soils dry out and heat up the grass begins thriving while bluegrass and ryegrass begins going dormant.  Depending on the season this can begin happening as soon as mid-June and as late as Mid-August.  Crabgrass then grows for several weeks as an unsightly flat growing turf that stands out due to its horizontal growth and ability to stay green while the surrounding turf begins to turn brown.  This is the mature development and when most people begin recognizing it in the lawn.  At this point (usually mid-August) crabgrass can only be controlled with a post-emergent selective herbicide containing quinclorac or mesotrione.  This approach to controlling crabgrass late in the season works, however is never as effective as the pre-emergant.  A post-emergent application will turn the plant purple or red/brown.  These herbicides will eventually cause the grass to die but may take several weeks before it dries out and gets chewed up in a lawn mower.  Therefore, preventing its existence with the use of a pre-emergent in spring is the preferred method of eliminating unsightly crabgrass in the lawn.

Crabgrass actively growing mid-summer along driveway in Antioch

Crabgrass is a very common and native grass in the Antioch-Gurnee-Waukegan-Lake Forest area that can be controlled by following a lawn care program using a pre-emergent in early spring.  Although this grass is often mis-identified as tall fescue it can be eliminated from the lawn fairly with the help of a local lawn care professional.  

If you have any questions regarding crabgrass control for your lawn or other lawn services, please do not hesitate the local lawn professionals at Lawn Doctor of Antioch, Gurnee, Waukegan, Lake Forest.

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