• Latest stories
• Local
• State
• National
• World
• Health
• Agriculture
• Politics
• Business
• Crime
• Manhattan/Junction City
• Photos

• Log in

Crabgrass got you crabby?

Story by Alex Harrington

12:40 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Crabgrass and other weeds got you feeling crabby?

This year’s wet, cool spring, and late onset of hot weather, has made a dream year for a host of weeds.

Nutsedge/Crabgrass mix, KTKA Community Garden.

Here are a few ideas that our garden experts at Jackson’s Greenhouse say might help to get rid of some of these rampant greens.

Methanearsonate Herbicide for Crabgrass.

1) Methanearsonate Herbicide:

You can look for an herbicide with Methanearsonate to promptly kill crabgrass, nutgrass and dallis grass, among many other grasses. This stuff is potent, so wear rubber gloves when preparing, applying and disposing of the mix. Combine four teaspoons to one gallon of water. This will treat about 100 square feet. Spray only the greens of the weeds. Also be sure to wear pants, a long-sleeved shirt and boots when applying. It is also a good idea to avoid windy days. Make sure you keep the applied area thoroughly wet, with water, the day before and days after treatment during hot, dry weather. Reapply the herbicide one more time about a week later.

Treflan herbicide for many broadleaf weeds.

2) Treflan Granules:

Applying an herbicide sprinkle containing Treflan will help to kill other broadleaf weeds, like pigweed, thistles and nettles. Treflan treatment works best if you apply early in the season, but can also provide weed relief at any time of the year. Just sprinkle the granules on the soil around established flowers and vegetables.

3) Go Green:

And of course you can always “go green,” by avoiding chemicals, and applying a natural mulch. Simply cut back the weeds and pile mulch on top of them. This will cut off any light source to the weeds, causing them to die. This way, you will only have to pick the stragglers along boarder edges.

Crabgrass ("Young"). Photo provided by Kansas State University.

Yellow Nutsedge (Nutgrass). Photo provided by Kansas State University.

Nutsedge (Nutgrass). Photo provided by Kansas State University.

Crabgrass ("Hairy"). Photo provided by Kansas State University.