How to Prevent Crabgrass Growth in Your Lawn
Although it's not uncommon to see crabgrass in your lawn, it's almost always an unwelcome surprise. Amongst your Ottawa inground sprinkler system, and the rest of your healthy, green lawn, crabgrass can be a nuisance, and if left uncontrolled, can quickly take over your existing turf.
Unfortunately, crabgrass can still grow even despite the care you've taken in manicuring and watering your lawn. This pesky weed can spread into thick mats that will kill large sections of your turf by choking out the surrounding vegetation. Once the crabgrass has killed the healthy grass in your lawn, it will spread its quick-to-germinate seeds, overwhelming your entire yard. Due to the aggressive nature of crabgrass, Nutri-Lawn Ottawa's Inground Sprinkler System department recommends taking active preventative measures to control crabgrass, rather than trying to battle the weeds after they have a hold of your lawn.
Ottawa Inground Sprinklers Can Help Prevent Crabgrass
In terms of prevention, properly watering your lawn is an important part of crabgrass control. By providing your lawn with the recommended amount of water (three centimetres, once per week), you will enable your existing grass to develop strong root systems, which will in turn restrict the crabgrass's ability to infiltrate your property. One of the best ways to ensure your lawn is properly watered is to install Ottawa inground sprinklers, which can be programmed to provide the precise amount of moisture your lawn needs. This will not only help to conserve water, but it will also hinder crabgrass growth. If you're interested in investing in a Nutri-Lawn irrigation system, feel free to contact Nutri-Lawn Ottawa Inground Sprinkler Systems today.
Other Ways to Control Crabgrass
Lawn care isn't always as simple as cutting the grass, waiting for rain, and hoping for the best. To keep your lawn looking great, and to control the growth of common weeds like crabgrass, here are some tips to follow:
- Keep your lawn healthy and dense: When early spring rolls around crabgrass will be ready to attack. Crabgrass loves warm weather so as the thermometer begins to climb, think proactively. Overseeding is one of the best preventative measures against crabgrass, as it promotes thicker grass growth and doesn't allow crabgrass to take root in your lawn. Similarly, it's important to begin your seeding, fertilizing, and watering routine immediately when spring arrives. Any gap will open a window for crabgrass and other weeds to sneak in.
- Just a little off the top: When it comes time to mow your law, be careful you don't overcut. If you cut too close to the ground, you will allow sunlight to penetrate your lawn, enabling crabgrass to germinate. Keeping your mower blade set slightly higher will not only help your existing grass remain healthy, but it will minimize the ability of weeds to sprout.
- Attack those weeds: If you see crabgrass growing in your yard, take a few minutes to pull the weeds out at their roots. Sure, it's manual labour, but it can save your lawn. In addition to being a leader in Ottawa inground sprinklers, Nutri-Lawn also offers organic weed control services for those lawns that need a little extra help. The Fiesta weed killer has been proven to be a safe and effective way to control weed growth.
Crabgrass can be an unsightly and unpleasant problem in your lawn. So get active and let Nutri-Lawn give your grass a healthy boost. Our Ottawa Inground Sprinklers can give your lawn the advantage it needs to prevent crabgrass and other weeds.