Crabgrass and GooseGrass Control

Crabgrass and Goosegrass are two of the most troublesome turf pests in New Jersey. There are different ways to combat these two weeds organically or through a pesticide program.

Crabgrass

Upright-growing, summer annual grassy weed that grows in patches.

Yellowish - Green color.

Large crabgrass features hairs on the leaves

Smooth crabgrass has a smooth leaf blade

Goosegrass

A low growing summer annual grassy weed which is lighter green in color than healthy grass blades.

Grows out from a whitish folded stem, from a single center point emanating out into a wagon wheel pattern.

Found in thinner turf areas and compacted soils

has a fibrous taproot

Germinates 4-6 weeks after crabgrass.

Thrives in compacted soils
As it germinates, the wide leaf blade is generally wider than turf grass
Seed germination begins when soil temperatures warm up to 55 degrees
Look for crabgrass first in south facing slopes, south sides of buildings and turf grass around or near concrete where soils are likely warmer
Competes with turf during the summer season, as crabgrass dies in the early fall, it leaves voids in the turf and the yellowing of the dead plant.

Combat strategy:

Plant high quality seeds.
Irrigate turf grass deeply and infrequently. Frequent, light watering greatly encourages crabgrass and goosegrass encroachment, it also discourages deep rooting, and lowers the environmental stress tolerance of turf grass. (Watering methods to drought-proof your lawn)
Plant cool season grasses between late August and early October. Avoid spring or summer seeding.
Reduce soil acidity with a lime application
Fertilize cool season turf grass in fall with slow release nitrogen fertilizer. Leaving grass clippings to recycle nutrients (Nitrogen) will help sustain soil fertility and maintain a dense turf grass to out compete weeds for nutrients.
Cultivate healthy, dense turf through a solid aeration and fertilization program and by addressing insect or disease issues promptly.
Apply pre-emergence herbicides before germination (mid April for Northern and central New Jersey) split or single applications can be effective, depending on the severity of the growth.
Goose grass pre emergence herbicide application may be delayed until early/mid May.