<font color=red>QUICK TIPS</font> Don’t Be Crabby

To take on unsightly crabgrass and make sure it’s gone for good, experts at Davey Tree Expert Co., Kent, Ohio, recommend a preemergent herbicide. This is used to prevent crabgrass from sprouting in lawns in the first place. Here are some tips on getting the most out of a preemergent application:

ABOUT QUICK TIPS

Quick Tips is a new weekly feature that will offer quick tips to help sell your services or improve your practices. Topics will range from selling the benefits of a healthy lawn to clients to getting rid of crabgrass. Look for it every Wednesday. To comment on these tips or share your own, visit our Message Board or e-mail your ideas to Heather Wood at hwood@gie.net.

• Apply preemergents before crabgrass begins to sprout
• Make a slightly heavier application along sidewalks, driveways and streets because these areas are more prone to heat buildup and crabgrass infestation
• Avoid heavy raking, dethatching and any other mechanical disruptions to the soil after applying preemergents, because these may break up the barrier zone.
• A second preemergent application may be needed in situations where the pre-emergent degrades before the end of the crabgrass season.
• Encourage clients to water their lawns within five to seven days after the application (if there’s no rainfall). This will activate the material and set up the barrier zone.