Can I apply Crabgrass Preventer Twice?

[BleedingBlue]

With this unseasonably warm weather stretch I imagine it is very possible crabgrass may begin germinating. In Indiana it is going to be 60+ for the next week.

Will it hurt the lawn to apply now and then again in 90 days or so?

I typically use Scotts crabgrass preventer and fertilizer.

Lastly, I have an opened bag that has been laying around for 2+ years, is it ok to use?


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[sberry]

I aint even sure whats in that stuff, are you killing grass within grass?

 

[BleedingBlue]

I aint even sure whats in that stuff, are you killing grass within grass?

Im not an expert, but essentially it supposed to keep Crabgrass from germinating. Apply to early and it doesnt work. Apply to late and it doesnt work. All about timing.


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[wrench409]

Only apply at the time they germinate in your zone. Any other applications will not work and may have undesired effects on other things.

 

[BleedingBlue]

Only apply at the time they germinate in your zone. Any other applications will not work and may have undesired effects on other things.

Im worried they may germinate twice, if that possible. They Germinate now during this warm stretch and again when the real spring starts.


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[LS6 Tommy]

I agree with waiting for the normal germination time. Now I'm gonna wait for the "Just use salt/diesel" replies...

Tommy

 

[theoldwizard1]

Wait until the night time temps are near 50F.

 

[BleedingBlue]

Wait until the night time temps are near 50F.

That is roughly where it will be for the next week, but im sure it will be significantly colder for another 3-5 weeks once this freak warm spell is gone.




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[Kaizen]

If it's fertilizer with crabgrass preventer just be aware of the normal application timing. Putting down twice in two months is too much nitrogen. In 90 days it is too late imo. Remember the key is to keep it from germinating until the grass is tall enough to block the sun. So mow high. I've learned in my area with a large snow pack it normally germinates before all the snow is gone. But people mindlessly just apply it anyway cause Scott's is selling it


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[John in OH]

The guy that owns a local landscaping business told me to apply the crabgrass preventer as soon as the forsythia start to bloom in the spring. That rule of thumb makes sense to me as it sort of naturally adjusts and compensates for the weather/temperature conditions.

Don't know if it can be applied more than once in a season.

 

[2CRUZ]

Only apply at the time they germinate in your zone. Any other applications will not work and may have undesired effects on other things.

No it won't. I spray mine twice a year every year. I spray about the 10th to the 15th of march then again the first week in June to get the late germination. Little to no crabgrass. I use Prowl Herbicide. There might be something out there that is better at stopping crabgrass I don't know.

 

[pcmeiners]

"I imagine it is very possible crabgrass may begin germinating."
Too early, temperature is too low to work, agree with theoldwizard, solid 50-60 before application. Secondly applying 2 application closely together can be dangerous to animals. Once and only once I applied 2 applications close together, killed a few birds, never again.

 

[stingry]

No it won't. I spray mine twice a year every year. I spray about the 10th to the 15th of march then again the first week in June to get the late germination. Little to no crabgrass. I use Prowl Herbicide. There might be something out there that is better at stopping crabgrass I don't know.

This is correct. Crabgrass will continue to germinate all summer and the first application will only last so long. A second application is necessary to have good season long control. If you do have some that grows despite the pre-emergent treatment, a mix of Drive, Trimec plus and a surfactant will kill the emerging plants.

Cheers
Steve

 

[iahawk]

Don't apply pre emergent now. Plants germinate based on soil temps, not air temps. A typical indicator is when the forsythia (yellow flowered shrub) blooms.

Yes, you can apply a preemergent more than once a season..but it really depends on how long the active ingredient is effective. Some only allow one application per season. Read the label.

 

[iahawk]

One more thing...true lawn nuts generally don't apply a preemergent combined with fertilizer...the time to apply preemergent is a little different than the time your lawn needs nitrogen ( up North, at least). Preemergent first, nitrogen a few weeks to months later. A great site is aroundtheyard for ******** lawn care info.

 

[laser3kw]

measure the soil temp. It can't do much until the upper 1-1/2 gets around 55° ~ 65°.

 

[Mr.wolf]

BleedingBlue, I have been a licensed applicator (solo so responsible for my results very much) for 5 years. Im pretty good at it and it has gained me a lot of accounts. I have a lot to learn I just say that to let you know I have gotten pretty good at crabgrass through some very extreme seasons the past half decade in Indiana.

First, The bag will give you a limit on how many Lb/Acre you can apply per year. Take that into account. Its all about soil temp not calendar, so here you go (this week will probably be to early).

http://purdueturftips.blogspot.com/2012/03/when-will-crabgrass-germinate.html

I pay close attention to this as season ramps up.

http://www.greencastonline.com/tools/soil-temperature

I have been doing split apps of Dimension (PM me for a local source) for several seasons with excellent results. At this point I see no reason to go with Prodiamine (barricade and what is normally in the big box store stuff). Dimension will also control early stage crabgrass so I can apply a bit later. 1st app is normally not till early April but in 2012 it was much earlier, this year could very well be the same. Second app is normally about 6 weeks later because of all the rain we experience april/may. This has worked very well. I also keep some Quinclorac on hand and hit problem areas, that have been prone to "break through" for years on end. Doing this has made areas that used to always be hindered by crabgrass become much better turf.

Please feel free to hit me up with any questions. I could probably also point you to a local supplier that could answer questions specific to your area as the weather changes.

Z

 

[laser3kw]

I have been using a digital meat thermometer with a 8" SS probe for the last 4 years. I go out in the evening when I get home and take the dog out for a run. I have a piece of blue tap around the probe to check depth. I spot check the yard. The soil doesn't warm up near as quick as you would imagine.
This yard stuff has turned into a heck of a complicated hobby

 

[maxpower_hd]

Only apply at the time they germinate in your zone. Any other applications will not work and may have undesired effects on other things.

I tried this a few years back. I only applied once. I was never able to grow a healthy lawn again. Now the area is bark mulch. I'm jot an expert obviously but my vote is if it's green leave it alone. Lol

 

[77thor]

And, if you have a bag that's been laying around OPEN for 2+ years... it's not usable.
Trash it!

 

[R6 Racer]

BleedingBlue, I have been a licensed applicator (solo so responsible for my results very much) for 5 years. Im pretty good at it and it has gained me a lot of accounts. I have a lot to learn I just say that to let you know I have gotten pretty good at crabgrass through some very extreme seasons the past half decade in Indiana.

First, .............

Z

Great info! The sites & especially the actual names (Dimension,Prodiamine,barricade &,Quinclorac) they're a great help. For me that helps a lot. Thanks.

On a related note, this is a great situation, this great info could be fairly location oriented information (I think). If you could put your general location in your profile, it helps others see how relevant your info is to them.
It doesn't need to be specific & it will in the future, make a lot situations easier for everyone.


Thanks again for the good response.
Steve

 

[laser3kw]

checked my soil temp today. It is unseasonable warm in northern Illinois, been mid 60's for a few days. I was out raking up dog bombs in shorts and t shirt!
My soil temps range from frozen, can't stick probe in to high 30's to mid 40's in most spots. I did measure a 50 but that was where the sun had been all day and the soil was kind of sand.