How to Control Crabgrass Naturally
Crabgrass can grow out of control when left untended. There are not many things that annoy homeowners more than crabgrass creeping in and taking over their lawn. Some crabgrass will always crop up because it is a hardy annual plant that reseeds every year and spreads easily by its roots, but a healthy well-maintained lawn goes a long way in the fight against crabgrass infestations. Harsh chemical treatments are not necessary in order to keep crabgrass under control. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Plant a healthy lawn to begin with. Start by selecting a good turf if you have not already planted your lawn. Consult a local garden store or your knowledgeable neighbors about the best turf to grow in your climate and region. Starting out with a good turf will help prevent future crabgrass infestations.
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Mow your lawn regularly in order to prevent any crabgrass that finds its way into your lawn from going to seed. Check the instructions for your grass type for mowing height. Keeping the grass about 3 inches in height is a good rule to remember when mowing. Remove any grass clippings from the lawn to prevent any weed seeds from crabgrass clippings from germinating.
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Water the lawn adequately to prevent any hardy crabgrass from taking over an unhealthy turf. Water your lawn deeply less often instead of using frequent, short watering sessions. Short daily watering promotes shallow growth of roots that are not as hardy as lawns with deep roots.
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Remove any crabgrass you find in your lawn by hand instead of spraying it with a chemical-laden herbicide. A slender sharp spade works well for tough weeds. Dig the slender spade deeply enough to remove the entire clump of crabgrass roots. Replace the soil and water the surrounding grass deeply to promote growth that will fill in the gap left by the pesky crabgrass.
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Fertilize your lawn in both the summer and fall to maintain healthy soil that promotes growth of desirable turf and not crab grass. Use about 2 lb. organic nitrogen fertilizer per 1000 square feet each time you fertilize your lawn.
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