Best Overall
Preen Lawn Crabgrass Control
Best Bang for the Buck
Spectracide 511072 Weed Stop for Lawns + Crabgrass
Best Pre-Emergent
Scotts Halts Crabgrass and Grassy Weed Preventer
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Crabgrass gets its name from how it grows — crushed to the ground with stem that radiate out from the heart of the grass cluster , resembling crab legs . When it make out tobattling finger grass on the lawn , the betting odds are stacked in the Mary Jane ’s favor :
But , the best crabgrass cause of death for your lawn will calculate on when you apply the Cartesian product and how bad your crabgrass infestation stupefy . understand on for our template to navigating the available choice and our top recommendations for the best crabgrass killers .
Types of Crabgrass Killers
There are two type of crabgrass grampus . The preventative case keep seed from germinating and the other eccentric kill matured plant . The good overall mathematical product will take attention of crabgrass and otherweeds that are choking out your lawn . However , it also depends on the time of yr that you plan to undertake the Mary Jane .
Pre-emergent Herbicides
Pre - emergent weedkiller , or locoweed preventers , stop weed seed from germinating . When decent applied , they do the job of controlling annual weeds — those that grow from come each year and then die at the conclusion of the grow season . Pre - emergents do not kill exist weeds .
The timingof the pre - emergent program is very authoritative . homeowner must apply the herbicide when the weed seed is just about ready to develop . If the herbicide goes on too early , before the soil temperature warms up enough , the pre - emerging will dissipate before it can complete the job . Applying pre - emergents after the seeds germinate will give out at controlling the mark weed .
In areas with farseeing develop seasons , crabgrass can germinate for a foresightful time of year as well . Pre - emergent weed killer have a define effectualness period , so it might become necessary to put on pre - emerging herbicide several times per season to keep the area weed - free .
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Post-emergent Herbicides
Post - emergent herbicides bolt down weeds that are present ( after they have egress from the seeded player ) . They essay most effective fortough - to - pop weedslike crabgrass if applied when the smoke is young and tender . fledged weed might ask multiple applications , which can also stress the lawn or other plants in the orbit .
For scrawny lawns , the skilful scheme combines pre - emergent and post - emerging herbicides for a full attack . The pre - emergent halts sprouting that has not yet occurred while the post - emergent herbicide kill the be smoke . Again , it might take multiple software to kill pot like crabgrass , depending on the time of yr , weather condition condition , weed maturity , and other site - specific conditions .
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Crabgrass Killer
choose the best crabgrass killer for your lawn depends on several factors . Do you desire a product to drink down several types of weeds or place crab grass specifically ? Will you apply the herbicide in the growing time of year or during its dormant time of year ? Homeowners should consider whether they desire to kill crabgrass in an established lawn or a recently seeded one . A final part of the decision boil down to how many square feet you need to plow . Consider the options below before pick out the good crabgrass killer for your needs .
Selective vs. Nonselective
Herbicides follow as either selective or nonselective recipe . Selective herbicides assure specific weed category , like “ grassy weeds ” or “ broadleaf skunk . ” The ingredients in these kinds of locoweed killers should be dependable for nontarget plant like lawn grass whilekilling target works like dandelionsand crab grass .
Always study label on selective herbicides to be sure they will work for you . A intersection labeled as a “ grassy weed killer ” may or may not control crabgrass , and it may or may not be rated for employment in the area you design to employ it .
Nonselective herbicides kill all type of plants . These are useful in areas where you do not want plants , like mulch tree rings or private road tornado . Nonselective weed killers also can help in prepare for a landscape overhaul , like laying Modern bugger or creating a new flower bed .
Application Method
Herbicides are available as either liquidity sprays or dry granules . granule are sluttish to use evenly with a properly calibrate lawn spreader , and any remnant Cartesian product is simply stored in a coolheaded , dry location until its next use . Pre - emergent or post - emerging weed - and - feed applications for lawns often come as granules .
Liquid spray examine ready to hand for circularise over large areas with ahose - end sprayer or spot address little surface area with a cooler sprayer or trigger bottle . They sell as saturated forms or quick - to - spray liquids . Ready - to - spray herbicide is commodious and minimizes the homeowner ’s photograph to the chemical substance by eliminating the mixing requirement .
When spraying liquids , user must be conservative about wind speed and direction to avoid spraying drift that can damage plants not in the object area . Plan a “ route ” to avoid walk through latterly treated areas and then tag the chemical substance elsewhere .
Photo: amazon.com
Warm vs. Cold Climate
Temperature controls the target weed and the effectualness of the weed killer . green goddess are most susceptible to herbicides while they are actively growing . Crabgrass seeded player germinate when the land warm up to about 55 - degrees in the bound . In summer , the crabgrass plant life matures and acquire more seeded player until it dies when insensate weather arrive .
A single spring diligence of pre - emergent might be sufficient to get rid of finger grass in a cold climate location . In a warm clime area , using pre - emergent repeatedly throughout the growing time of year , if needed , along with spot treating with post - emerging herbicide effectively controls crab grass .
Our Top Picks
With those primal features and shopping tips in mind , we ’ve narrowed the market to its top - rated mathematical product . One of these seven recommendations for the best crabgrass Orcinus orca should suit your demand .
Preen has construct lawn and garden products for consumer yards , professional sports sod , landscape painting , and golf course markets since 1947 . If you ca n’t resolve between pre- or post - emergent crab grass killer , get one that can do both line of work !
Preen Lawn Crabgrass Control provide pre - emergent control of crabgrass as well as moderate or suppressing other broadleaf smoke for up to four months when applied before ejaculate germinate . It ’s safe to use on most cool- and warm - time of year grasses , including St. Augustine and zoysia pasturage .
Photo: amazon.com
Unlike most pre - emergents , Preen Lawn Crabgrass control mold when employ to lawn grass for up to four weeks after crabgrass germinates , provide post - emergence control of seedling crab grass . Do not give this product on a lately seed lawn , because it will keep grass seeds from germinating . For best issue , implement in the spring or fall before weed ejaculate sprouting to control weeds in established yards .
Get the Preen crabgrass dominance atAmazon , Walmart , andThe Home Depot .
off skunk and crabgrass from your lawn should n’t have to stop the bank . The Spectricide 511072 Weed block off for Lawns + Crabgrass is made to obliterate over 470 weed variety to the rootage including crabgrass , dandelion , chickweed , and more in just 5 hours . This pick does not harm the existing grass you have and dries in just 3 hours with a rainproof barrier .
This selective , post - emergent finger grass killer comes with enough amount for 5,000 square feet of lawn and is safe to apply on fescue , Kentucky bluegrass , perennial ryegrass , zoysia , Bermuda pot , and Buffalo grass . You may notice that some grass type may discolor after app program , but after the finger grass is bushed this discoloration will fade .
Get the Spectricide weed killer atAmazon , Walmart , andLowe ’s .
Prevention is the good cure when it do to decimate crab grass . Scotts is a leading maker of consumer lawn , garden , and pest control mathematical product . The ship’s company design Halts Crabgrass and Grassy Weed Preventer to stuff weed semen from germinating in the spring and fall . They also made it safe for all types of established lawns .
Photo: amazon.com
apply this weedkiller in early leap when the lawn is ironic can prevent the sprouting of crabgrass and other unwashed lawn gage before they get down to spread . Applying Halts again in the fall prevents the germination of winter gage such as annual bluegrass ( Poa annua ) and chickweed . As long as the pre - emergent move on when the lawn is dry , then rain , snow , or suspend weather will not affect performance after software . Like any pre - emerging , Halts will not bolt down ripe crab grass but will prevent crab grass seed from germinating .
Get the Scotts green goddess preventer atAmazon , The Home Depot , andWalmart .
Best Post-Emergent
BASF Drive XLR8 Crabgrass Herbicide
If your lawn is infest with coarse weeds and crab grass , look no further than the BASF Drive XLR8 Crabgrass Herbicide . This post - emergent , selective herbicide is made for bermudagrass , bluegrass , zoysia , ryegrass , buffalo grass , and even some turfgrasses . Plus , it is water - base making it absorb chop-chop into stems and root .
Instead of pay off on your hand and knee joint and pull weeds from the root , this weed killer can wipe out over 1 acre of weeds within just 2 24-hour interval with its ½-gallon amount . Though it is n’t fully moisture - repellent , it dries within 1 hour making it resist rain .
Get the BASF Drive XLR8 onAmazonor atSears .
Photo: amazon.com
FOR USE IN FLOWER BEDS
Preen Garden Weed Preventer
envisage have a weed - gratuitous flower bed . Pre - emergents will take care of crabgrass in garden bed , along with other annoying sens . Preen is the go - to mark for weed contraceptive that are safe for use around more than 200 established peak , vegetable , tree , and shrubs . Preen Garden Weed Preventer works good when apply in spring after spreading mulch on efflorescence and bush bed and before sess start grow .
If a gardener leave to go for the preventive before the crabgrass and weed protrude up , adding it later bring , with a few expect steps before employ . The first step is to withdraw existing Mary Jane , followed by mulching the surface area , applying the Preen product , and then watering it to activate . The weedkiller will impede common broadleaf garden weeds such as chickweed , knotweed , purslane , and thistle , as well as grassy garden weeds like crabgrass , foxtail grass , and bluegrass , for up to three months .
Get the Preen green goddess preventer atAmazon , Lowe ’s , andWalmart .
Photo: amazon.com
Best for Centipede Grass
SOUTHERN AG ATRAZINE St. Augustine Weed Killer
SOUTHERN AG has produced a enceinte variety of insecticide , herbicides , fungicides , plant ontogeny governor , safety equipment , and more since 1930 . Warm - season grasses , such as centipede and St. Augustine grasses , are normally sensitive to herbicides . Not many gravid manufacturers have product that are good to expend on these delicate southerly grasses , but SOUTHERN AG uses the active ingredient atrazine , which is dependable to use on both centipede and St. Augustine lawns .
SOUTHERN AG weed grampus goes on the grass during both torpid and develop seasons . The good results come from applying it in early spring or dormant period of time when weeds are minor or have not emerged . The manufacturer recommends confine software to two treatments per year .
Get the Southern AG ATRAZINE onAmazon .
Photo: amazon.com
Best for Zoysia Grass
Ortho Weed Be Gon Plus Crabgrass Concentrate
Finding the best post - emergent weedkiller that belt down crabgrass without hurting the exist lawn can be tricky , especially for sensitive zoysia Mary Jane . Ortho make it easy with Weed Be Gon Plus Crabgrass Concentrate . The product is good to use on zoysia grass and is a good time value . Weed Be Gon targets broadleaf pot and grassy weeds and forge well on any lovesome - season pasture that take a lot of weed control .
For a big infestation of crabgrass , it ’s best to wait until the outflow or flow and apply a pre - emergent weed killer . Ortho Weed Be Gon works best when smoke are small and actively grow and when enforce to a dry lawn . For best outcome , homeowner should use a cooler nebuliser or hosiery - close nebuliser fond regard .
Get theOrtho WeedBe Gone concentrate atWalmart , The Home Depot , andAce Hardware .
Photo: amazon.com
Honorable Mention
Tenacity Herbicide
Though it come with a steep monetary value tag , the Tenacity Herbicide is one of the best crabgrass killer on the marketplace . This small but mighty selective weed killer inhibits photosynthesis and cause grassy skunk to give-up the ghost from the root upwards .
This 2 - in-1 formula is a pre- and post - emergent weed Orcinus orca and work on chickweed , clover , crabgrass , dandelion , and many more . Plus , this 8 - ounce selection offer up 30 gal of herbicide per acre and can be enforce on Kentucky Bluegrass , centipede , Buffalo skunk , fescue , and more .
Get the Tenacity Herbicide onAmazonor atWalmart .
Photo: amazon.com
Our Verdict
If you are trying to get rid of crabgrass at any phase of its growth , thePreen crabgrass controlcould be just the just the ticket . This versatile pre- and post - emerging gritty weedkiller is capable of working for over 4 month per software and act on most grass types . Alternatively , for a budget - friendly choice , theSpectracide Weed Stopis a post - emerging liquid herbicide that can tackle over 470 weed varieties and is rainproof within 5 60 minutes of program .
How We the Best Crabgrass Killers
These passport for the best crab grass killers include a diverseness of options to meet the needs of typical users who want to keep up a beautiful residential landscape painting . We narrowed our research to focus primarily on granular and liquified crabgrass killers , as those are some of the most democratic on the food market due to their versatility and effectiveness .
We also evaluate these crabgrass killing products base on their compatibility with grass type and other sess , with most options being nonselective in their killing abilities and safe for warm- and/or cool - season dope types . As for coverage , each can tackle space of 2,000 satisfying feet or more to kill finger grass as well as broadleaf weeds . There are a broad number of products made to kill finger grass that are rate on our list that can work promptly and have long - lasting effects , but some also have twofold - action pattern and are loose to utilize .
FAQs
When it comes to using pre - emergent and post - emergent crabgrass sea wolf , timing is everything . Be certain to translate the merchandise ’s recording label thoroughly and espouse the manufacturer ’s directions for the best results . Here are some common question that arise when using a crabgrass killer whale :
Q: When is the best time to apply crabgrass pre-emergent?
Q: Will heavy rain wash away pre-emergent?
No . Rain activates pre - emerging by acquit it into the soil . However , digging and pulling exist weeds after applying the pre - emergent can reduce the product ’s effectivity .
Q: How do you apply a crabgrass killer?
Apply post - emergent crabgrass slayer in the break of day , on a dry daytime . care for only the affected areas of the lawn . cake the crabgrass evenly .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
We ’ll aid you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your patio , a lift bottom , or an in - ground plot of ground out back — and take the correct industrial plant for your filth and region .
Photo: walmart.com
Photo: amazon.com
