What is Crabgrass Preventer?

If you have a lawn, then at least once in your life you have come across crabgrass, and know just how much trouble this creeping grass can be. In addition, you also know just how quickly it can go from being a grass to being a weed. While there are several ways that you can go about getting rid of crabgrass, are there any methods available for keeping it from showing up at all? The short answer to that question is yes; it is done with the help of something called crabgrass preventer. But what is crabgrass preventer? Keep reading to find out what it is, what effects it possesses, as well as when to apply it.

• What is it? In the simplest possible terms, crabgrass preventer is exactly what it sounds like...a material that is used to prevent the growth of crabgrass. It will not kill any crabgrass that is already growing, but it will help prevent any new crabgrass from growing. Generally this type of application will come in either a liquid or solid form. The solid form is usually a grain, almost sand-like in appearance that you can simply spread on your grass to aid in preventing the growth of crabgrass. Another way to look at crabgrass preventer is that it is a pre-emergent preventer/herbicide, and can usually be found in the most nurseries across the country.
• What are its effects? The effects of the preventer is simple, it will prevent the seeds from germinating properly. By preventing the seeds from germinating, this will in turn keep the crabgrass from growing at all. Be careful about how you apply this though, since it will prevent crabgrass from germinating, it will also prevent any new seeds from germinating as well. This means that you do not apply it to areas that you have just applied fresh grass seed to.
• When to apply it. The ideal time to apply crabgrass preventer is in the early spring before the temperature rises too much. Typically the best time to do this is when the temperature of the soil at night will be about 50 degrees Fahrenheit for about three days in a row. When the forecast calls for this, it's time to break out the preventer.
• How to apply the preventer. Read the directions on the back of the package of the preventer that you have purchased, and make sure that you are familiar with them. Make sure that you don't over apply the preventer, and that you are following the manufacturer's directions closely to avoid misuse.