Crabgrass & Dallis Grass During the Fall

Maintain a healthy lawn with proper control of crabgrass and dallis grass.

Crabgrass and dallis grass are two weeds that are known to invade residential and commercial landscapes throughout the United States. These two weeds are similar in appearance and often confused with one another.

Crabgrass

Smooth crabgrass and hairy crabgrass are the two varieties of crabgrass. Crabgrass grows erect and features soft leaves.

Crabgrass in the Fall

Crabgrass blooms from July through August. Crabgrass continues to grow in early fall as long as soil temperatures remain above 50 degrees F. Once soil temperatures drop below this point, crabgrass overwinters until the following spring.

Dallis Grass

Dallis grass grows in bunches and produces stiff, erect leaves that mature to a height of 1 to 5 feet.

Dallis Grass in the Fall

Dallis grass has a long blooming period and maintains its blooms from May through November. The dallis grass blooms grow as spikes that stick out from the stem of the grass.

Cool-Season Turf

When grown in cool-season turfs such as bentgrass, bluegrass, fescue and ryegrass, applying fertilizer in the fall can help control crabgrass and dallis grass.

References

• University of California: Crabgrass
• University of California: Dallis Grass