Gardeners know that spring brings beautiful blossoms, fresh new grass and......WEEDS. We have all been there and sometimes these pesky foliage make you want to pull your hair out right along with them. Crabgrass (Digitaria species) can be especially pesky in gardens and in yards. We all want beautiful grass and gardens so here are some tips to get rid of this nasty stuff.
If you are going to use a herbicide, corn gluten is the way to go. These powdered herbicides are typically used on an established lawn or in a perennial garden where seeds will be planted. They work by stopping the crabgrass (and other weeds) seeds from germinating and growing. Make sure to read the directions as different corn gluten herbicides will vary by brand.
You can also get rid of crabgrass the old fashioned way...by pulling it. Getting the roots is the key when pulling weeds so try to grab it as close to the soil as possible. Waterproof gloves may also help to keep your grip.
Mulch may also keep the weeds at bay. About two inches is good for most places. Mulch also may be more that just the wood chips we are all used to. Try using grass clippings or wheat straw. Putting a layer of newspaper underneath your mulch will also keep weeds suppressed.
So this spring, try out these things to keep you weeding to a minimum over this summer!
