Crabgrass is a summer annual grass that germinates in the spring in eastern North Carolina. It competes with lawn grasses and grows faster giving the lawn a bad look before the lawn grass needs mowing. Germination of crabgrass occurs when the soil temperature is 55 degrees for three days in a row. Around here, it happens in March. Crabgrass germination continues over a 10- to 12-week period.

Crabgrass is best controlled using pre-emergence weed-management products. These products form a layer of protection on or near the surface of the soil. Since germination starts in March, February is the time to get these products out. It is much easier to deal with crabgrass before you see it than after. Effectiveness depends on rainfall amount, timing, number of sunny days and a number of other factors. It is important to follow label instructions carefully when applying these products.

Pre-emergence crabgrass-control products must be activated by rainfall or irrigation to work. Usually a half inch of rainfall or irrigation is needed to uniformly distribute the chemical compound in the upper portion of the soil. Even distribution is important to create a chemical barrier across the surface.

For the complete article, please pick up a copy of The Daily Reflector or purchase today’s electronic edition at http://www.reflector.com/circ-store. Current home delivery and electronic edition subscribers may log in to access this article at no charge. To become a subscriber, please click here or contact Customer Service at (252) 329-9505.