"If my yard is covered in crabgrass, what is the best fertilizer to spread this time of the year to help get that nasty green stuff out of there?"
Crabgrass can takeover a lawn or lawn area and be unsightly. This question came from a person in Pennsylvania so I will try to help the best I can. Keep in mind that different parts of the country deal with crabgrass in different ways and at different times of the year.
The first place everyone should go to is to the experts in your area. Most states or locals have “Agriculture Extension Services” or similar, like the ones in Pennsylvania.
Here, you are getting some of the most knowledgeable people to give you help in your state. There are even webinars and online courses. The internet is a very educational place for do-it-yourselfers. Stick with the experts!
The next place to look is with the expert companies out there who can do this lawn work for you at a fee. It is great to want to work in your yard and want to do these things yourself, but believe me, I have been advising homeowners for years… and MOST of the do-it-yourselfers make critical mistakes along the way.
There are so many factors involved with timing of applications, spreaders with settings, liquid or granular applications ‘why and how’, topography, shade, irrigation, weather, foot traffic, etc.
I am not saying don’t do it yourself, the exercise and pride are wonderful feelings when doing lawn work, but I would still check with reputable Lawn Care companies close by. Sometimes they will just do the one application for crabgrass control, or grubs, or weeds, to help you in your quest for the great lawn. Do it right, and ultimately save yourself time and money.
Now, if you are really, really set on doing it yourself, let me tell you a few things that might help. Do not try to use the liquid bottles attached to your garden hose to spray your lawn. Too much room for error here.
For crabgrass, go with a granular spreader and one that matches the bag of pre-emergent you are using. There should be a setting for your type of spreader on the bag. (This is not an endorsement) (Click Here) Make sure to check your width of coverage with your spreader and how to use it. DO NOT USE A DROP SPREADER! Use a rotary spreader with the correct settings.
(Click Here) How to Use a Scotts® Broadcast Spreader on Your Lawn
Remember to become as knowledgeable as you can for the different types of applications you are doing, when, how, and why. The question above said “Fertilizer for crabgrass control”. It would actually be a ”Pre-emergent Herbicide” for crabgrass control, and applied in the spring (about now for PA but check with the experts in your area). Fertilizer can be added with this or not in the bag that you purchase. With all of this said, is there room for error?
Take a look at these attempts…
-Mark S. Merrick, CGCS Retired
Introducing ‘Merrick Mondays’, a segment where we hear from Mark Merrick, our resident brand Ambassador, Chief ‘Cool” Officer, and general source of wisdom and secrets of the universe, to spotlight a dose of interview-style content, weekly.