5 Seasonal Treatments to Keep Your Pennsylvania Lawn Looking Great
- Early Spring Application. In the early spring — usually in mid-April — we apply a crabgrass treatment. ...
- Spring Application. Later in the spring season, our technicians will apply another treatment to your lawn, this time targeting broadleaf weeds common to Pennsylvania, including dandelion, clover, plantain, mallow, speedwell, ...
- Summer Application. During the summer months, our treatment plan shifts to insect & pest control for your lawn. The most common insect affecting southern Pennsylvania properties is the grub.
- Early Fall Application. It is common for a yard’s nutrients to get depleted in the fall. ...
- Late Fall Application. As the leaves fall and your lawn slows its growing, we come back to your property for one last fertilizer treatment.
- Never Too Late for Your First Treatment. If you’d like to tackle your weed and crabgrass problem, get rid of pests, or just make sure your lawn looks healthy and ...
When is the best time to treat a lawn for crab grass?
And while spring is the best time to treat a lawn for crab grass, it is not necessarily the best time to reseed your yard. The best method of control for crab grass is applying a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring before seeds germinate.
Is crabgrass a problem in Pennsylvania?
Crabgrass is the No. 1 weed problem in Pennsylvania lawns and can turn your picture-perfect turf into a real mess by late summer. But crabgrass can be controlled if you choose the right herbicide and apply it at the correct time of year, according to a turfgrass specialist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.
When should I apply pre-preventers for crabgrass?
Preventers must be applied before crabgrass seed germinates. Crabgrass seeds can germinate from early spring until late summer when soil temperatures are right. In spring, crabgrass starts germinating when soil temperatures warm to 55 degrees Fahrenheit for four to five days in a row.
Why choose Pennington for crabgrass control?
When crabgrass threatens to disrupt your lawn, you can take control, break the cycle and prevent its spread. Pennington is committed to providing you with the finest in quality lawn and garden products along with expert advice to help you achieve the lush, healthy, weed-free lawn you desire.
What month do you treat crabgrass?
Crabgrass seeds can start to germinate in the spring once the soil reaches 55 °F, so crabgrass preventers, like Scotts® Turf Builder® Halts® Crabgrass Preventer with Lawn Food, should be applied in early to mid-spring before the crabgrass starts to develop.
Is it too late to put down crabgrass killer?
If crabgrass has already begun to sprout, a post-emergent treatment may be helpful, but it's important to apply before the weed starts to seed. After that, it's best to wait until next season, and take preventative measures during late winter or early spring.
What month should I apply pre-emergent?
To avoid winter and fall weeds like bluegrass and prickly lettuce, apply a pre-emergent herbicide from August to November. To get ahead of early spring and summer weeds, apply pre-emergent herbicides around mid-March.
What temperature should I put down crabgrass preventer?
You can apply a crabgrass preventer when the soil temperature reaches 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit for a few days in a row because that's when the majority of crabgrass seeds begin to germinate.
Is it too late to put down pre-emergent?
Preemergence weed control applications eliminate invasive plants before they begin to grow. Different weeds sprout and spread at different temperatures. Hence, it's never too late for preemptive treatments to work in your favor.
Is April too late for crabgrass preventer?
The recommended application dates for the first application of Prevent to control crabgrass is a window from mid-March to mid-April. Applying Prevent too early in March can cause a lapse in coverage when it is needed the most during the summer months.
Can you put down crabgrass preventer in the summer?
If control cannot be achieved in spring or early summer, the Missouri Botanical Garden suggests forgoing management since the crabgrass will die with frost. Instead, wait until early spring the following season to apply a pre-emergent herbicide containing oryzalin, pendimethalin or trifluralin as the active ingredient.
When is it Too Late for Crabgrass Preventer?
When it comes to effective crabgrass control, timing really is everything. Because crabgrass preventer works by creating that barrier to inhibit germination, you need to get the product down before germination. Putting it down too late is just a waste of time and money.
What if the Window has Passed for Preventing Crabgrass?
If you’re reading this article and it’s passed mid-May, don’t think you’ll have to resign yourself to having crabgrass in your lawn. We can still utilize post-emergent controls designed specifically for killing crabgrass.
A Comprehensive Solution
It’s also important to recognize that our program is more than just crabgrass and weed control. It’s also about promoting a thick and healthy lawn that is going to choke out weed growth in the first place.
Your Guide to Healthier Lawn
Though it gets a tremendous amount of attention, crabgrass is just one potential setback to a lush green lawn. There are many different factors that can have an impact on your lawn’s health including soil health, diseases, pests, weeds, and even cultural practices (like watering or mowing).
How does crabgrass grow?
It germinates in the early spring when the soil temperature, at a depth of 2-4 inches, averages 53-55 degrees over a 24-hour period (the temperature of the air will be in the 60s), according to Shawn Banks from the North Carolina University Extension. If you can suppress the seed you can eliminate unsightly crabgrass from your lawn.
Is Kentucky bluegrass a pre-emergent herbicide?
For instance, the chemical in a pre-emergent herbicide recommended for a cool-season grass like Kentucky bluegrass is going to be different than recommended for a warm-season grass, such as Bermuda grass. When choosing an off-the-shelf chemical control for crabgrass read the label carefully before applying the product.
Is a thick lawn good for crabgrass?
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure certainly applies in this situation. A thick, healthy turf will prevent the establishment of crabgrass, which thrives in poor, drought-prone soils. Here are some steps you can take to achieve a healthy, thriving lawn free of crabgrass and other weeds.
When to apply crabgrass killer?
This common lawn weed generally appears in late May in the North (earlier in the South), so earlier in the spring is the time for applying crabgrass killers -- if you want to get the jump on your nemesis. You will want to use pre-emergent herbicides, specifically. These products are also termed "crabgrass preventers," because they do just that (if used properly). Corn gluten is considered an organic alternative to using chemical pre-emergent herbicides.
When to put down crabgrass preventer?
Exactly When Do You Put Down a Crabgrass Preventer? May 1 is the average time for application of crabgrass preventers in the northern U.S. and Canada, but the ideal time will vary depending on where you live and how warm a spring you are having. In the South, you will need to apply a crabgrass preventer earlier than in the North.
How to prevent crabgrass from growing in grass?
The best time to apply a crabgrass preventer will be when the soil temperature reaches 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit and holds that reading for a few days in a row.
Do you need crabgrass preventer in the South?
In the South, you will need to apply a crabgrass preventer earlier than in the North. This is still not precise enough, though, so below I will give you two different guidelines to use so that your timing will be just right. But first, let me explain how the product works in greater detail.
Is it too late to apply crabgrass preventer?
Sounds like magic, does it not? Well, not quite. You still have to pitch in by applying these crabgrass preventers at the right — not too early (because their potency would peter out), but not too late (because once the weed seed germinates, "that ship has already sailed," as they say).
How long does it take for crabgrass to germinate?
In spring, crabgrass starts germinating when soil temperatures warm to 55 degrees Fahrenheit for four to five days in a row. 1 Most garden centers carry inexpensive soil thermometers that can help you track soil temps and time your preventer properly. If you live in northern climates, nature helps, too.
What is crabgrass preventer?
Crabgrass preventer products use what are known as "pre-emergent" herbicides, which target germinating seeds before new shoots can emerge from soil. Pre-emergents work by inhibiting seed germination and root development so that seeds can't become established plants.
How long does crabgrass live?
But unlike lawn weeds that do live several years, crabgrass plants only live a single year. What they do in that year, however, has long-lasting consequences for your lawn.
How many seeds does crabgrass produce?
But crabgrass problems don't end with the growing season. While they live, each crabgrass plant produces up to 150,000 seeds. 1 Those seeds stay behind, ready to germinate the following spring and start the cycle all over again.
How tall can crabgrass be cut?
With its low-growing, crab-like growth, crabgrass can set seed when cut as low as 1/2 inch tall 1 — that's much lower than recommended healthy mowing heights for any common lawn grass. Effective control requires preventing crabgrass seeds from ever becoming seed-producing plants.
What is a post-emergent herbicide?
Then it's time for "post-emergent" herbicides, which target plants instead of seeds. Crabgrass killers are designed to kill existing, actively growing crabgrass plants before they can produce more seed. When using crabgrass killers or any herbicides, it's important to understand whether the product is a "selective" or "non-selective" herbicide.
Is Pennington Seed a registered trademark?
Pennington is a registered trademark of Pennington Seed, Inc.
How to discourage crabgrass?
You can discourage crabgrass by mowing at the proper height for your grass type. Mowing higher, usually at one of the top two setting on your mower, allows taller grass blades to shade the soil, which in turn helps prevent the germination of crabgrass seeds.
What is crabgrass in the fall?
Crabgrass is an opportunistic annual weed that will grow in the thin and bare spots in your lawn. Before it dies in the fall, a single crabgrass plant produces thousands of seeds that can germinate the following spring.
What is my lawn app?
My Lawn App by Scotts helps simplify your lawn care.
What is the best spray for crabgrass?
If you only have a few crabgrass plants in your lawn, you can treat them with a ready-to-use product like Scotts® Spot Weed Control - For Lawns. This spray kills listed weeds, including crabgrass, down to the root without harming your lawn, when used as directed.
Why is crabgrass called crabgrass?
Crabgrass gets its name because it grows low to the ground with stems that radiate out from the center of the grass clump, resembling crab legs.
When does crabgrass sprout?
Seeds begin to sprout in mid-spring, as soon as the soil temperature reaches 55 °F, and crabgrass can quickly become a problem during the summer because it is able to grow vigorously in hot, dry conditions. Crabgrass is an opportunistic annual weed that will grow in the thin and bare spots in your lawn. Before it dies in the fall, ...
Can crabgrass be killed by frost?
Crabgrass plants will be killed by frost in the fall, leaving behind bare spots. Don’t panic! All you need to do is repair the bare spots to help keep new weeds out. Fill the spots with a patching product, like Scotts® EZ Seed® Patch & Repair, and keep it watered until the new grass is established.
When is the best time to get crabgrass down?
The fact is, the middle of May provides the perfect opportunity to get crabgrass pre-emergent down to control crabgrass. Grassmaster Plus uses Dimension, which is the best crabgrass pre-emergent in the industry, providing great control before and shortly after any germination.
When to get crabgrass preventer down?
If they’re beginning to bloom, it’s time to get your crabgrass preventer down. Often, when soil temperatures begin to rise to adequate levels for crabgrass to germinate, flowering trees such as pears are in full blossom.
How does crabgrass germinate?
According to researchers at the Ohio State Universi ty’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, crabgrass begins to germinate when average daily soil temperatures reach 57 to 64 degrees fahrenheit. Due to the late start of spring, only recently have we even begun to experience air temperatures that warm, let alone soil temperatures reaching that level.
What happens if you apply crabgrass preventer too early?
In fact, it’s one of the first rules of lawn care. But if you apply a crabgrass preventer too early, you’ll be asking for trouble.
How to know when to put down crabgrass preventer?
Put Down Crabgrass Preventer When You See Flowering Plants. Perhaps an easier way to determine if it’s time for your crabgrass preventer is by paying attention to your flowering plants. If you don’t want to measure your soil temperature every day to see if it’s ready, be on the lookout for flowering trees and shrubs.
What to look for when hiring a lawn care company?
Having certified, trained technicians is just one of the things you need to look for when hiring a lawn care company. To learn more about our services and what we can do for you, check out our plans and pricing.
When to apply crabgrass treatment?
In the early spring — usually in mid-April — we apply a crabgrass treatment. This may seem early, but that’s because we want to attack the crabgrass seeds before they germinate and start to grow. That way, you hopefully won’t see any crabgrass in your manicured lawn.
What is the best way to get rid of crabgrass and weeds?
If you’d like to tackle your weed and crabgrass problem, get rid of pests, or just make sure your lawn looks healthy and green, call Clean Energy Maintenance, Inc. We can customize our treatment plan, modifying it to fit your yard’s needs and the time of the year.
What weeds are common in Pennsylvania?
Later in the spring season, our technicians will apply another treatment to your lawn, this time targeting broadleaf weeds common to Pennsylvania, including dandelion, clover, plantain, mallow, speedwell, and hawkweed. These type of invasive weeds are aggressive and tough to kill, especially if your lawn has bare spots or is underfertilized. We do our best to rid your lawn of broadleaf weeds during this treatment, and we check for them on each subsequent visit, providing follow-up treatments if necessary.
How many steps are there in lawn care in Pennsylvania?
For Pennsylvania homeowners who want a yard that’s the envy of their neighbors, we’ve created a 5-step lawn care treatment. While the precise dates and amount of each treatment changes per property, these 5 treatments form the core of our lawn care program.
What is the most common pest in southern Pennsylvania?
The most common insect affecting southern Pennsylvania properties is the grub. Grub is what we call the larvae form of several species of Japanese beetle, all of which lay their eggs in the summer. As the eggs hatch, the grubs feed on grass roots, killing your lawn. Moreover, grubs attract skunks and moles to your property, since both like to eat the insects.
Why do we fertilize lawns in winter?
As the leaves fall and your lawn slows its growing, we come back to your property for one last fertilizer treatment. This application is designed to better prepare your grass to go dormant during the winter. This treatment also promotes a healthy jump start to next spring’s growing season, as the plants will have enough nutrients to start growing.
What is aeration?
Grass roots need air, water and nutrients to grow thick, deep and strong. When soil becomes compacted, even slightly, it inhibits the flow of the essentials that support thicker, healthier turf growth. Aeration involves perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots.
Why aerate?
Lawn grasses struggle in stressful situations, such as heat and low rainfall, and lose their healthy, rich color when deprived of their basic needs by compacted soil. Aeration can be a vital element of ensuring a rich, dense, and green lawn by penetrating thatch and allowing nutrients to reach the root system.
When should you aerate?
Aeration, as a rule, should be done usually every other season, generally in fall. The weather is the main factor. Aeration is invasive to grass plants and the fall weather in Pennsylvania is optimum to help the plants to recover.