DATE:    02/16/04
WRITER:  Joey Williamson, 1-888-656-9988
EDITOR:  Susan Bedingfield, (864) 656-3876

Crabgrass prevention - 
the key to a better lawn

			By Joey Williamson, 
			Horticulture Specialist,
		Clemson Extension Home & Garden Information Center

	CLEMSON - Crabgrass can be an ugly addition to an otherwise 
beautiful South Carolina lawn.  Although it may be an unrealistic 
expectation to completely eliminate crabgrass from the home lawn, 
proper lawn care and use of a pre-emergence herbicide can help your 
lawn look its best.
	Crabgrass is a warm-season annual that grows close to the 
ground.  It spreads and makes roots wherever the stems touch the soil. 
 	However, this weed relies primarily on seed for its spread 
through the home lawn, and one plant can make as many as 53,000 seeds!
	Warm -season plants produce seed that germinate in the warmth 
of the spring.  Therefore, the application of an appropriate herbicide 
before the seeds germinate is the key to controlling crabgrass.  Apply 
a pre-emergence herbicide to the lawn between March 1 and 15.  This is 
generally at or before the bloom time for dogwoods, redbuds and 
azaleas.  For continued warm - season weed control, a second 
application can be made approximately nine weeks after the first.
	Typically a half-inch of irrigation water is necessary to 
dissolve the granules and uniformly coat the soil and prevent new 
weeds.  Refer to the label for specific instructions of each product. 
	Providing the proper conditions for the turf grass can go a 
long way in helping reduce crabgrass in the lawn.  Crabgrass thrives in 
infertile and sandy soils.  So improving soil fertility will help the 
turfgrass better compete with the crabgrass.
	To improve soil fertility and maintain a healthy lawn, submit 
soil samples to your Clemson Extension Service office for analysis. The 
amount of limestone that the soil needs for proper turfgrass growth 
will be determined by the soil test.  Apply the limestone; then apply 
slow release fertilizer at the appropriate times of the year for your 
type of turfgrass.  
	There are a number of cultural practices the homeowner can do 
to improve the turfgrass lawn.  Mow the grass at the correct height and 
never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade at one time.  Water the 
lawn deeply and infrequently.  If possible, water the lawn weekly 
during drought conditions.  Fescue turfgrass should be over seeded in 
the fall to maintain a thick stand.  
	Depending upon the product used and to prevent damage or death 
of the turfgrass seedlings, any seeding of the lawn should be delayed 
by six to 16 weeks following the pre-emergence herbicide.  If a lawn 
has already been seeded, always wait until the new lawn is two to three 
inches tall before applying a pre-emergence herbicide.
	Many effective products are on the market for crabgrass 
prevention.  Always read the label to determine if an herbicide will 
control the weed and be safe on your type of turfgrass.  Remember, good 
cultural practices will go a long way in producing a healthy lawn.
	The Clemson Extension Home & Garden Information Center (HGIC) 
has more information on lawns - fertilizing, establishment, renovation,
mowing, watering and on specific grass types.
	For information, go to the HGIC website, 
http://hgic.clemson.edu.

	****************************************
	For answers to your gardening, pest and food safety questions, 
	visit the Clemson Extension Home & Garden Information Center 
	website at http://hgic.clemson.edu , call us toll-free at 
	1-888-656-9988, or write to PSA Media Relations, 120 Lehotsky 
	Hall, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29634-0129.
				END