Think of your lawn as your home’s luxurious green carpet, inviting you into your home. The sweet scents of freshly cut grass make your yard even more enticing. Many homeowners in Maryland understand this feeling and know their lawns reflect the pride they have for their homes.

Lawn care is a household responsibility to take seriously. Every season brings specific lawn care needs that take time and dedication. One of the most critical seasons in lawn care is early spring, when crabgrass starts to sprout. If you love having a flawless yard, you know how vital it is to prevent weeds.

Many people pull crabgrass out by hand when they see it. However, controlling crabgrass is tricky once it spreads its seeds through your lawn. Prevention is vital for crabgrass, and pre-emergent treatment can help keep it beneath the surface and out of your lawn.

How to Apply Pre-Emergent for Crabgrass Prevention

Ideally, you’ll stop crabgrass in its tracks before it starts. Applying crabgrass pre-emergent is a practical method of preventing crabgrass from growing on your back or front lawn. Pre-emergent is an herbicide that helps stop crabgrass and many other weeds from sprouting. You can put a granular pre-emergent in a spreader or spray a liquid form over your lawn.

Before choosing a pre-emergent, read the product description and ingredients. Some pre-emergents contain organic herbicides and are safe to use at home around your family and pets.

Carefully follow the application instructions when measuring your pre-emergent so you use the correct amount in your yard areas. Apply your pre-emergent across areas of your lawn where you have yet to plant seeds, and water your grass afterward.

Tips for Using Pre-Emergent and Weed Control

Applying pre-emergent is a detailed task, and it takes some time and practice to get the hang of it. Whether you are new to using pre-emergent or want to grasp it better, following these simple tips can help you effectively apply your crabgrass preventer.

Measure soil temperature before applying: Measuring your lawn’s soil temperature is the first step to applying pre-emergent. Crabgrass germinates when soil temperatures reach 55 degrees Fahrenheit. For best results, apply crabgrass preventer for three to five days in a row when weeds are still in the germination phase.
Research pre-emergent chemicals: Pre-emergent comes in granular, synthetic, spray, specific and organic forms. Each contains varying chemicals. Some pre-emergents can get rid of weeds without killing your grass, while others prevent weeds from growing. Do your research to find a pre-emergent that specifically targets crabgrass. If you are looking for a human- and pet-friendly crabgrass pre-emergent, research products that contain organic herbicides, as they are kind to the environment and safe to use.
Use nitrogen-free pre-emergent: Using nitrogen pre-emergent in hot temperatures causes excess heat to the soil, makes dormant crabgrass seeds germinate and can harm other lawn areas. Instead, use nitrogen-free crabgrass preventers like an organic pre-emergent to help prevent weeds from sprouting and damaging your grass.
Follow the application instructions: Each pre-emergent comes with specific application instructions like the correct amount to use for your yard’s square footage and safety methods to use. Carefully follow the directions to successfully apply the pre-emergent product to your yard.
Measure the product before spreading: The pre-emergent packaging will often specify how much of the product to apply over your lawn to prevent crabgrass from growing. Measure the amount of pre-emergent to place in your spreader or sprayer according to these instructions.
Use caution around unseeded areas: Be careful when applying pre-emergent around areas of your lawn you plan on seeding. Pre-emergent can affect germination in unseeded regions, so it’s best to apply pre-emergent to grassier yard areas.
Water after applying: Frequently water your lawn after applying pre-emergent to seal in the product. Your lawn will need approximately half an inch of water. You can time your pre-emergent application before it rains to save money on your water bills.
Apply pre-emergent before germination: Crabgrass is easier to prevent than to remove and spreads like wildfire in hot temperatures, making it harder to control in summer. So, applying pre-emergent to your lawn is essential before crabgrass sprouts rapidly throughout your yard.
Delay breaking up and treating the soil: Breaking up or treating your soil through detaching and aeration after applying a pre-emergent exposes dormant crabgrass seeds to sunshine and water, which can cause them to germinate.
Manage post-emergent crabgrass: Some crabgrass seeds remain under the surface of your lawn even after applying pre-emergent. Apply a second round of post-emergent around two to three months after the initial application. Pre-emergents last a specific amount of time after application, so take note of your pre-emergent instructions to help identify when to reapply.

When to Apply Crabgrass Preventer for Maryland Lawns

The best time for homeowners in Maryland to apply crabgrass preventers is in early spring, March to mid-April. Plants start to grow, and soil temperatures can range from 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, which are the perfect conditions for crabgrass germination. Applying pre-emergent during the germination period in spring prevents crabgrass from growing in the summer.

Crabgrass proliferates in hot temperatures, making it challenging to prevent or control in the summertime. Applying post-emergent herbicides can help remove and control crabgrass sprouting throughout your lawn if you miss the window for applying pre-emergent. Post-emergent is most effective on crabgrass that’s still in root form.

Pre-emergent can be ineffective in winter, before the last spring frost date and in wet weather. Rain or ice from freezing conditions can wash your pre-emergent away or too deep into the soil, creating more chances for crabgrass seeds to germinate and spread.

Timing of seeding is crucial, as pre-emergent herbicides can affect barren areas of your lawn where you plan to seed. Spread out your pre-emergent and seeding processes to give your seeds a better chance of growing or steer clear of applying pre-emergent to parts of your lawn you plan to seed.

Types of Crabgrass Preventer

Crabgrass preventers vary in terms of the chemicals they contain, their application methods and their effectiveness. Understanding the different types of crabgrass preventers helps you make informed choices.

Organic-based herbicides: Incorporate natural, environmentally friendly ingredients. Organic herbicides are a safe option for applying around family and pets and can eliminate weeds without killing your grass.
Synthetic herbicides: Contain chemical ingredients that help prevent weeds like crabgrass from germinating and spreading.
Selective herbicides: Contain ingredients targeted at preventing and controlling specific weeds.
Non-selective herbicides: Prevent and control weeds and can also affect the grass.

Many herbicides come in granular or liquid forms. You can spread granular herbicide across your lawn and seal it into the soil with water. Decant liquid herbicide into a spray bottle and spray the ground to prevent and control weeds like crabgrass. Evenly cover your lawn and soil to keep weeds from germinating.

View Our Maryland Lawn Care Service Offerings

Are you passionate about your lawn care and want to ensure you give it the time and effort it deserves? OrgnaicLawns takes as much pride in lawn care as you do and can help prevent and control grass weeds from spreading through your lawn.

Organic lawns cover all your lawn care needs, from crabgrass control to fertilizing, aeration, seeding and more. We use organic, economical and safe lawn care products. We take care of pre-emergent applications in an eco-friendly way, keeping your Maryland lawn beautiful for your entire family. Contact us for information on our environmentally friendly lawn care services and packages.