When you envision a lush, green lawn or beautifully manicured garden beds, the last thing you want to see is an invasive, weed-like grass known as crabgrass. This pesky annual plant seems to pop up out of nowhere, quickly taking over sparse lawns and landscape beds, leaving an unsightly and weedy appearance in its wake.

At first glance, crabgrass can easily be mistaken for fescue, but as it grows, its stems elongate and creep over everything in its path. With its wide leaf blade, it can be confused with bermudagrass, but make no mistake, it’s much easier to control than its stubborn counterpart.

While crabgrass is a common problem for many homeowners, the good news is that it can be prevented with the right tools and tactics. The first line of defense is to maintain a healthy lawn through proper watering and fertilization. But if you want to take it a step further, consider applying a pre-emergent herbicide like Fertilome’s For All Seasons II to stop crabgrass from ever germinating in lawns. For landscape beds use, we recommend Hi-Yield’s Turf and Ornamental Grass and Weed Stopper.

For those who have already noticed crabgrass sprouting up in their lawns, don’t worry; all is not lost. You can use Ferti•lome Weed Out with Crabgrass Killer to eliminate the problem early in the season when the crabgrass is still small. (Don’t use this product in landscape beds).

However, it’s important to note that these products should not be used if you plan on overseeding in the spring, as they will prevent any of your seed from germinating.

So, take control of your lawn and garden beds and keep crabgrass at bay with the right techniques and products. Your green oasis will thank you.