When to Apply Crabgrass Preventer in Oshkosh, WI

Crabgrass is one of the most common weeds that can take over your lawn in Oshkosh, WI, in the summer. This pesky plant is as unsightly as it is pervasive. The good news is early application of crabgrass preventer is one of the most effective ways to stop these weeds from taking over your lawn.

The key to success lies in knowing when to apply crabgrass preventer. The key is to apply it in mid to late April, or when the soil temperature consistently is reaching 55°F for several days. When applied early, the preventative will keep crabgrass at bay all season long so your lawn can be lush and healthy.

3 Signs That It’s Time to Apply Crabgrass Preventer

Getting the timing right is essential for ensuring your crabgrass preventer will be effective throughout the growing season. Applying crabgrass preventer early in the spring is crucial for several reasons. Timing is key when it comes to preventing this invasive weed from taking over your lawn mainly because this weed begins to germinate early in the season, when temperatures consistently are reaching 55°F. If preventative application is delayed too long, the seeds may have already germinated and the preventative may not be as effective. Timely is everything. Here are four key signs that can indicate that now is the best time to treat for crabgrass.

Forsythia In Full Bloom Means It’s Time to Treat for Crabgrass

This vibrant shrub is one of the first shrubs to bloom in Wisconsin. Their cheerful yellow flowers appear before their foliage grows, which creates a striking look in the spring. When these shrubs put on their spring show, that’s a great indication that crabgrass preventative can now be used.

Consistent Warm Weather

When Oshkosh starts to experience several consecutive days of warm weather, that means not only is crabgrass starting to grow but also that the soil is now warm enough for the preventative to be effective.

Warm Nights and Rainfall

In addition to warmer daytime temps, if warmer nights (55°F and above) and rainstorms have been in the forecast, these are great signs that the sooner you can apply crabgrass preventer, the better.

What are the best ways to prevent crabgrass?

A well-maintained, healthy lawn is your best defense against crabgrass. When your grass is thick and lush, it crowds out weeds, including crabgrass, and helps reduce the chances of them taking over. There are a number of ways to prevent crabgrass from taking over your yard, but the most effective method is to treat your lawn as early as you can with a pre-emergent herbicide. The two main types of preventative are granular and liquid.

How effective is Granular crabgrass preventers?

When applied early, these preventatives are incredibly effective. Not only is this type of treatment easy to apply and long-lasting, but it helps stop crabgrass at the earliest stage of growth. The granules adhere to the soil and over time throughout the growing season continue to release active ingredients, which stops crabgrass seeds from taking root. We apply this type of preventer with a spreader to effectively treat large lawn areas.

Liquid vs. Granular Crabgrass Preventatives

At the Property Groomers, we use a combination of granular and liquid crabgrass preventatives to thoroughly treat your entire lawn and follow each application with a thorough watering. Liquid crabgrass preventers are typically absorbed into the soil much quicker than granular products and it’s great for precise applications, such as hard-to-reach areas, including edges, flower beds and more. It’s also very fast acting, which is one reason why we use liquid preventatives in the summer. This allows us to stop fast-growing crabgrass quickly.

In the fall, we use a granular preventative, which helps stop weeds like crabgrass from germinating in the autumn months. Using this two-fold approach of liquid and granular preventatives, we are able to effectively target and stop weeds like crabgrass from growing and taking over your yard throughout the growing season.

Find Crabgrass Treatment in Oshkosh, WI

The Property Groomers are here to help keep your lawn crabgrass free with preventative treatment in Oshkosh, WI We take care of all the details so you can enjoy a beautiful lawn this spring and summer! Contact us to schedule an appointment today.