Crabgrass and Spotted Spurge Problem

10 years ago

So I appear to be having a pretty bad infestation of both crabgrass near sidewalks and spotted spurge throughout my front lawn. I was wondering if it would help any to slow down the spread by applying a pre-emergent at this point?

Also any suggestions on how to treat this effectively? I applied Q4 today using a spot spray technique, but ended up using a full gallon of mixed solution on just the front yard and didn't even get to the back (luckily the grass is thicker there and appears to have no sign of spotted spurge yet!)

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

User
10 years ago
What kind of grass do you have? The answer depends on whether you will need to overseed this fall to repair the dead spots or not. Pre-emergent will also stop grass seed from germinating. Tenacity is also an option for short term pre-emergent control.
reeljake
10 years ago
PreM is not likely to help at this point, but it will prevent new junk going forward. Keep up the spot spray routine, it might take 2 apps front & back. Spurge indicates bare ground, so we need to thicken your turf too. Crabgrass is just terrible. I use a spot spray that has a preM included, but if you don't catch them before they have 5 leaves, you have to pull it by hand, then spray with preM.
Related Professionals
Crestview Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · San Marcos Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Niles Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Fargo Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Topeka Landscape Contractors · Jackson Landscape Contractors · Cincinnati Landscape Contractors · McAllen Landscape Contractors · Parkersburg Landscape Contractors · San Bernardino Landscape Contractors · Wilmington Home Builders · Great Bend Home Builders · Clarksville Home Builders · Denver Home Builders · Toronto Home Builders
User
10 years ago
You bermuda guys, just throwing down pre-emergent willy-nilly :-) . Must be nice.
John Jones
Original Author
10 years ago
Forgot to mention I am in Iowa and have all cool season grass...
capone36
10 years ago
Use Celsius herbacide. Had a front yard full of that dreaded spotted spurge 3 weeks ago. Sprayed 2 gallons of Celcius & now I can hardly find even one weed! No harm or yellowing caused to my bermuda lawn even in 95+ degree weather!
User
10 years ago
Use Celsius herbacide.

Don't use Celsius on a cool season grass, it will kill it. It's meant for warm season grasses only.

OP, you have 2 options:
1. If you don't think you will need to seed in the fall to repair the damage, then you can apply pre-emergent and continue spot spraying. KBG for example will spread and repair itself with proper care, albeit slowly. If you have fescue, it will not spread, it will need to be overseeded to repair any gaps.
2. If you think you will need to seed, then do not apply pre-emergent and keep spot spraying. Read the label on Q4, there may be restrictions as to how long you have to wait after you apply Q4 before seeding. It too may interfere with seed germination. If there's a waiting period you can switch to RoundUp during that period, if needed.
If you decide to seed this fall, it would probably be wise to spray Tenacity at seeding time, or apply a starter fertilizer that contains Mesotrione. If you think you have problems now, wait until all the weed seed gets 3-4 waterings a day along with the grass seed you put down.
darktower00844
10 years ago
Q4 is good stuff should knock it right out