It has been a crazy winter in Ohio with temperatures barely going past freezing.  With the unusual warm start to spring, many of our customers and landscapers are saying, is crabgrass coming early?

Typical Crabgrass Prevention

Crabgrass is an annual, warm season grass that is commonly found all over Ohio.  Typically, crabgrass seeds germinate over several weeks from late spring to early summer.  The best way to control crabgrass is to obviously prevent it.  With that said, the timelines for crabgrass preventer should be applied from early April to middle May, to stop an infestation.

With the Early Warm Weather, am I Running (or have I run) Out of Time?

Earlier this month, Ohio received consistant temperatures in the 70’s and 80’s over the span of two weeks.   With the unseasonably warm weather, this lead to many people feeling that they may be too late with their crabgrass prevention.  Remember that crabgrass is a warm-season grass and cannot tolerate cold conditions.  With this said, if by chance any early seeds did germinate, the recent frost and cold (normal spring conditions) will quickly kill the crabgrass seedlings.

So When Should I Treat for Crabgrass?

The best offense is a good prevent defense (at least that’s what the Browns think judging on their offense), and a good quality fertilizer with crabgrass preventer put down at the right time will control crabgrass for the season.  It’s important that you follow the advice of lawn care professionals and wait until early April to mid May to apply this treatment.  Applying it too early can give you control early in the season, but fail to stop crabgrass later this year.

Crabgrass isn't the ONLY thing to Worry about this Spring!

Crabgrass isn't the only thing loving this early spring, Fleas & Ticks are also out and about! Read our warning about the early outbreak of Fleas & Ticks and what our local vets are saying about how to protect your animals! READ MORE HERE