Tearing up crabgrass...good idea?

[ericds]

I was watching one of those home shows this past weekend and they focused on crabgrass. I live in CT and with the cold weather the roots of the crabgrass are nearly dead and very shallow. This home show said that one way to get rid of the crabgrass is to tear up the crabgrass and roots. I assume that I'd then plant new grass seeds.

Has anyone every heard of this before? Is this a good idea? Thanks so much for your help.

[Grassmechanic]

At this time of the year, it won't help. Crabgrass has already released it's seed for next years plants. If you do it before they set seed, then you may have some success, but it would be awful time consuming in an area of heavy infestation.

[DieselDeere]

What would be the ideal time to remove it?

[Grassmechanic]

You don't. It is an annual. The plants you see now are not going to be around next year, but their seed will be. That is where a pre-em comes into play. I'd also consider post em control such as Acclaim, but as far as pulling plants, it is too time consuming for me.

[bob]

This time of the year , it pulls out real easy. Plus its easy to identify-usually purple. I'd re-seed after pulling and like Grassmechanic said, use a Preemergent next year.

[DieselDeere]

What is a Preemergent?

[CT John]

A preemergent weed control. Such as Dimension. They stop the weed seed from germinating.

[DieselDeere]

Dimension, I've never heard of that, can you get it without a license?

[CT John]

I was wondering the same thing. I know HD sells a combination Lesco product fertilizer w/ dimension, but I would like to buy it seperately. Can one of the pros answer this?

[BigDave]

You can go to a Lesco store and pick up Dimesion. Go to http://www.lesco.com and click on the Store Locator.

[Runner]

...Or use Drive 75. This also works as a post-m. It DOES affect new desirable turf seed, though. So, if used as a post, you should have seeded 3 times the rate of what you would've normally for given conditions.

[Relly]

Generally, puuling the old crabgrass plants out is to time consuming for me too. However, if it was bad (many plants) then I'd do it and reseed. Need to thicken the turf in the area to reduce likelihood of new crabgrass next year.

I like to fight crabgrass with a thick lawn and not rely on pre-emergent. Therefore, my approach for my own lawn is aerate every year in the fall. Overseed as necessary (every to every other year). Proper fertilization through the year. Mow at the top end of the recommended height for my turf type. I had about 15-20 plants break through on me this year (keep in mind I did not apply a pre-emergent and my lawn is full sun) out by the side walk.

Pre-emergents are typically sold on a fertilizer as a granular product, or for liquid applications. If you want to purchase it without fertilizer and do not have spray tank capabilities...you do have an option.

Since the pre-emergent needs a carrier to apply it in granular form, it is common to put it on 0-0-7 fertilizer (or similar analysis). This way, you are not fertilizing the lawn, but you have the ease of a granular applicaiton. Lesco and other suppliers shoudl be able to help you with this product.

[CT John]

So, the lesco stores can sell their product to non-professional homeowners who are not liscensed? Do they sell the Dimension in a granular or pelletized form?

[Relly]

Lesco CAN sell to homeowners. There are certain products that are labelled "Not for sale to homeowners", or are Restircted Use Pesticides.

I do know Lesco Service Centers are geared more towards the contractors, so product packaging size may be far more than you need, but fert should be no problem. Likewise, since they are in the business to help contractors, you may have to wait for them to service landscapers first.

As far as licensing...most states require pesticide licenses for "for hire" applicators. Those who make a living making applications are the main one's who are regulated. Unfortunately, homeowners can do whatever they want to their own property...with in reason and label...however, when was the last time a Dept of Ag. person stopped to check a homeowner's applications???

Just be sure to read the labels and apply according to label.

The Dimension can be purchased in granular form. The formulation I am familiar with is Dimension on 0-0-7 fert. Like I said, it has to be on a carrier, which in this case is 0-0-7 fertilizer. This is available and used in my area...you'll need to check with the suppliers in your area as to whether or not they carry it.

[CT John]

Great info. Thanks.

[leeslawncare]

pendumethalum works great also but as far as a homeowner go to h/d get a crabgrass preventor with fert an apply in in the spring an in late spring an again in the fall after lawn has been mowed 2 time after overseeding an you can get a o.k. handle on it .or hire a pro

[SodKing]

If your re-seeding you can also apply Tupersan/Siduron at the time of seeding.