Crabgrass is an inevitable weed that ruins the look of the garden. It's a fast-growing weed that makes it difficult to remove them. It has been named as "crabgrass" because crooked stems resemble the crab's legs. Crabgrass makes the area around the crops and the flowering plants overcrowded. It thrives in hot and dry conditions. There are several natural ways to eradicate them from the lawn which we discuss in this article.
What is Crabgrass?
Crabgrass is an annual weed with a light green to yellowish-green shade which grows fast. The branches resemble the crab's legs and the leaves have a coarse texture covered with tiny hairs and reddish purple round stems. Though it's an annual summer weed, it grows in different stages in different seasons- germinates in spring, matures during the hot season and dies after the first frost.
Natural Way to Get Rid of Crabgrass
There are innumerable ways to kill crabgrass naturally to allow lawn grass to grow properly. Here are some of the natural ways.
Pluck It With a Hand
Pulling crabgrass manually is the simplest way to get rid of them, mainly when the growth is limited to a small patch of the lawn. The only challenge is that they have a strong root system. If roots are not appropriately plucked, they may continue to grow. You can use a weeder tool for better results.
Mulching
Use a three inch thick layer of mulch such as straw, newspapers, wood chips and landscape fabric to cover the crabgrass. Black plastic and paver blocks can also be used to cover the crabgrass. Make sure no other plant in the nearby area gets covered.
Pour Boiling Water
The other way is to pour boiling water on the crabgrass. You should be careful while pouring boiling water because it may harm the different plants. You may have to repeat the process multiple times to remove them completely.
White Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar
It is one of the easiest and effective methods to kill weeds, especially during the hot weather. All you have to do is fill a spray bottle with white vinegar or apple cider vinegar and spray it over the area occupied by weed. Crabgrass wilts and dies once vinegar solution is sprayed. Multiple applications may be needed to ensure it doesn't grow again.
Citric Acid (Mixture of Lemon Juice and Apple Cider Vinegar)
Citric acid also helps in getting rid of crabgrass. You can prepare the solution using four ounces of lemon juice concentrate with quart of apple cider vinegar and fill it in a spray bottle. Spray the solution over the weed on a bright sunny day for best results.
Solarization
This method chokes the weeds using solar power. If there's crabgrass growth on a smaller patch of the lawn, mow the weedy patch with the lowest setting on the mower, spray water on the mowed area and cover with a plastic sheet. Secure the edges with stones and leave it for six weeks.
Use of Organic Weed-Killer Products
Organic weed killers are also an effective natural way to tackle the growth of crabgrass. Organic herbicides remove the waxy cuticles on the plant leaves, which cause loss of moisture, and loss of ability to grow. The organic products contain ingredients such as acetic acid, citric acid, D-limonene, and essential oils.
Homemade Baking Soda Solution
Prepare a homemade crabgrass killer by taking equal portions of baking soda and white vinegar. Add a few drops of castile soap to ensure the solution sticks to the weed for longer. Pour it in a spray bottle and add half cup of water to make the spray easier. Shake the bottle well and start to spray over the crabgrass. Don't miss out on wearing gloves to protect your hands from irritation.
How to Prevent the Growth of Crabgrass?
A famous quote, "Prevention is better than cure" is so true and practical. The best way to get rid of crabgrass is to prevent their growth. Here are some of the ways to curb their growth.
Use Weed Preventers to Stop Their Emergence
Apply weed preventers before crabgrass takes root in the lawn. These weed preventers act as a barrier in the soil and kill the root and shoots of the plants, preventing their growth. Make sure you apply it during the early spring or late winters to be ahead of their germination period.
The Right Mowing
Crabgrass is intolerant to shades, so mow the lawn in a way that the height of grass is not cut very short. Let tall grass do some preventive work. Another aspect of proper mowing is to follow the "one-third mowing rule," which states that you should not cut more than one-third of the grass blade height to allow it to thrive. A healthy lawn can beat weeds like crabgrass for water and nutrients.
Wise Watering Schedule
Water the lawn deeply and infrequently to allow a deep root growth of your desired grass. It will prevent crabgrass from taking the roots deeply.
Don't Fertilize in the Summer
Fertilizing cool-season lawns in the summer gives an edge to crabgrass because summer is the dormancy period for lawns, and watering the lawn causes an imbalance in nutrients. Crabgrass takes advantage of the situation.
