Say goodbye to Crabgrass: Discover the secret to a weed-free lawn

Crabgrass is a type of weed that often grows in lawns and gardens without being planted. It spreads quickly, especially in hot or dry weather, and can take over healthy grass if not controlled. If someone has a lawn, they probably have crabgrass. It makes lots of seeds, and if not controlled on time, it tends to increase with the passage of time.

Clint Waltz, PhD, turfgrass extension specialist at the University of Georgia, said, “It’s a prolific seed producer,” according to the online platform Southern Living. “If you do nothing about it this year, expect a higher and denser population of crabgrass next year,” Waltz added. Waltz further stated that crabgrass initially appears in the spring, but new plants keep germinating throughout the summer.

Crabgrass is killed off by the first frost. But it's too late by then, as there are probably thousands of seeds sitting there and waiting to germinate next year. The seeds can, in fact, possibly remain viable in the soil for years. Waltz said that there are many different types of crabgrass but to get rid of them, use the same approach.


The best way to stop crabgrass is by using a pre-emergence product in spring, which keeps weed seeds from growing. But if you missed spring, you can still remove crabgrass when it appears in your lawn during summer.

How to kill Crabgrass in your lawn

If you spot crabgrass in your lawn by mid- or late summer, it probably means you didn’t use a pre-emergence herbicide in spring. But you can still control it by following these steps:

1. Pull out crabgrass plants by hand if there are only a few.

2. Find out what type of grass you have before using any herbicide, because the wrong one can damage your lawn. If you’re unsure, ask your local university co-op extension for help.

3. Pick the right post-emergence herbicide for your grass type. These are usually sold at landscape or seed stores, not big-box shops.

4. Check the label for these ingredients and use them as directed:
- Sethoxydim: for centipede grass and fescues
- Fluazifop: for tall fescue and zoysia
- Quinclorac: for Bermuda, tall fescue, zoysia, and Kentucky bluegrass

Spray the crabgrass directly with the product. You’ll usually see the crabgrass turn yellow or brown in 7 to 10 days. If some crabgrass still looks healthy after 21 days, spray again, according to Waltz. He also suggested that If crabgrass covers most of your lawn (about 50-70%), spray the whole lawn as per the label instructions. After spraying, wait a few days and then mow your lawn to help hide the discolored spots.

Start spraying as soon as you see crabgrass, but if it’s late summer and frost is near, don’t bother—frost will kill crabgrass anyway. Don’t rely on DIY remedies, and also don’t use home remedies like boiling water or vinegar, as they can harm your good grass and don’t kill the roots. To prevent crabgrass, keep your lawn thick and healthy by mowing at the right height and using the right fertilizer and water.