[Richo]

Finally this year I decided to buy some crab grass preventer. I looked up online and it said when the soil temperature reaches 62 degrees the crab grass starts to germinate so to apply it before it gets to that.

Well, outside temps have been below 50 for the last several weeks so I haven't applied it yet but the crab grass from last year appears to be already growing. It's kind of yellowish in color right now but it's definitely longer than it was a month ago.

What am I missing here? I was hoping to get rid of it but am I too late already?

BTW I am in Wisconsin.

 

[cibula11]

3 days of soil temps above 50. I'm in Iowa and use a soil temp map through Iowa St University. I'm sure you could find something up where you're at. If you see the yellow flowers of forsythia in bloom you're too late. Since the product lasts 6-8 wks, I've heard to apply it once all the snow melts. There are years I should have applied in February... Oh well, live and learn. This year soil temps, according to the map broke 50 twice about a week apart. Hovering in mid 40s now and I've mowed once and everything is in full spring mode.

 

[SeniorSitizen]

I doubt it is crabgrass being the soil temperatures in gardening zone 5 is still in the high 50s.

 

[cibula11]

Crabgrass will germinate much sooner than what a 4" soil temp indicates. Especially in areas around sidewalks and driveways. This is why many landscaping and lawn care business are apply pre emergents early March.

 

[SPS-1]

What am I missing here? I was hoping to get rid of it but am I too late already?

I don't think you are missing anything. Too early. I have difficulty judging exact time to apply too, but by first batch goes on in a couple of weeks, and then another batch 6 weeks after that.

 

[Richo]

Thanks for the replies. This is what it looks like. Is this crab grass and does it look like this year's growth? It certainly is a lot longer than after my last mowing in November.

 

[SPS-1]

How about another photo? Not sure that is crabgrass. Last year's crabgrass would have died off in the winter.

 

[Richo]

Is this any better? Whatever it is, regular weed killer doesn't kill it.

 

[SPS-1]

I would be inclined to say it is not, but am not sure. Crabgrass should initially look like the first picture here: http://www.garden-counselor-lawn-care.com/crabgrass-pictures.html

Do you see these on your lawn? I don't seem to see them in the picture

Lets see what others have to say.....

 

[Richo]

The last picture in "Crabgrass pictures II" looks a lot like what I have, and like the description, it always grows faster than the lawn. Some of the other photos look like what grows between the cracks in the driveway.