Time to Switch Crabgrass Control Strategies
Crabgrass is starting to germinate throughout much of the state and thus preemergence herbicides will be of limited effectiveness. Though some will report burn-back of very small crabgrass with a strictly preemergence application, combining a preemergence with a postemergence herbicide will be most effective for the next two months. The postemergence herbicide will control that already germinated while the preemergence herbicide will prevent future emergence (crabgrass will emerge as late as early July). Products containing dithiopyr are perfect for application now because of its pre and post control capacity, or combine products containing quinclorac or fenoxaprop (Acclaim) with any preemergence herbicide.
Send corrections, suggestions, and comments to biehlj@purdue.edu