Step-by-Step Instructions for Controlling Crabgrass

Crabgrass is a pesky weed that grows prolifically and can ruin the look of a garden or lawn. Many gardeners want to kill crabgrass, but the only real effective way of getting rid of it is by preventing it from growing in the first place. Because prevention of the spread of crabgrass is highly dependent on the right conditions, gardeners need to be patient, as several attempts might be needed before the weed is eliminated entirely.

• 1

  Mow your lawn. Lawns that are regularly mowed have healthier turfgrass, which reduces the rate at which crabgrass can sprout up. This is even more effective if you plant a turfgrass species that is best adapted to the climate of the area you live in and if you know how tall to keep the grass so that it stays at its healthiest. Thoroughly rinse your lawn mower once you're done to make sure you eliminate any crabgrass seeds that might have caught in the machine.

• 2

  Keep your lawn well maintained. Make sure your flowers and plants are well watered, fertilized and nourished. Although you can't completely eliminate the spread of weeds by pulling them out of the ground, you should till clear them away if any sprout up. A healthier lawn ensures the flora you want to keep flourishes, which gives crabgrass a harder chance of taking root and spreading throughout your garden.

• 3

  Apply crabgrass control chemicals to your lawn. Such chemicals only kill crabgrass once its seeds have split and begin to sprout -- not before. This means repeated application might be required to make sure all the seedlings are killed.