Crabgrass, also known as finger grass or fonio, is a persistent weed that can produce up to 150,000 seeds per plant. It spreads quickly by rooting nodes and seeds to suffocate and kill other nearby flora. Although it is most commonly seen on the sides of roads, walkways, and around bare spots, it can easily appear in the healthiest lawns and gardens. Eliminating crabgrass is one of the easiest ways to control its spread.
Ways to eliminate crabgrass naturally
One can use various natural methods to control or eliminate crabgrass growth in an environmentally friendly manner.
1. Pull them out by hand
If the crabgrass hasn’t spread extensively, the quickest and most effective way to get rid of it is by pulling it out by hand. This can be slightly tricky, as crabgrass tends to form a tough root system. Use a garden weeder tool to extract as much of the root as possible. Any part of the root that is left behind may continue to grow and cause further damage to the lawn.
2. Use mulch
If crabgrass is the only plant growing in the area, one could also try smothering it to kill it. Cover the weeds with a brick, tile, plate, or other opaque objects (straw, woodchips, landscape fabric, or newspaper) that completely prevent sunlight exposure. Let this sit for four to six weeks. Once the crabgrass has died, remove the covering. Rake the soil and reseed it with top-quality turf seed to avoid regrowth of crabgrass.
3. Pour boiling water
Boiling water can also be a wonderful home remedy for crabgrass. Simply boil a pot of water and pour it on the affected region of the lawn. Cover a three-foot radius around the weed to attack the root system as well. Please note that the boiling water will kill any other healthy grass or other plants it comes in contact with, not just the crabgrass, so exercise caution while practicing this technique.
4. Use gardening vinegar
Gardening vinegar is a simple, safe, and effective solution for removing crabgrass growth from the lawn. Look for a variant with an acidity strength of 5% or higher, and spray it on the weeds until they are completely soaked. This may need to be repeated a few times across a few weeks to kill the crabgrass completely.
5. Try citric acid
Make a homemade crabgrass fighting agent by mixing 4 oz of lemon juice concentrate (which contains citric acid) with a quart of apple cider vinegar. Pour this into a spray bottle and apply it on the crabgrass on a hot, sunny day.
6. Prepare a homemade baking soda solution
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, has phytotoxic properties that can completely ruin the cellular structures of weeds like crabgrass. Adding this to the soil changes the pH levels significantly, making it impossible for the weed to soak up any necessary nutrients to survive. It can also be applied directly to the plant to remove moisture from its tissues and destroy it naturally.
To make a homemade solution for controlling crabgrass, mix equal parts of baking soda with vinegar. The solution may fizz slightly at first due to the chemical reaction between the ingredients. Add half a cup of water to this mixture to make it easier to apply. Pour this into a spray bottle. For an extra boost, one may also add some Castile soap as a surfactant to help the spray solution stick better and kill the weeds more effectively. Secure the lid on the bottle and give the ingredients a good shake to create a solution with a uniform composition.
The homemade crabgrass control solution is now ready for use. Spray the solution directly on the weeds. Since this solution is quite potent, one must be careful about avoiding contact with other healthy plants. Initially, one will notice that the grass will begin to look white because of the baking soda. In a short while, the leaves will start wilting and appear black or brown. In a few days, weed growth will be stunted, and its spread will slow down. This is a good time to reapply the solution to achieve the best results.
That said, it is important to be cautious when using baking soda on one’s lawn. As a salt, it can alter the soil’s pH balance and harm the surrounding vegetation.
Weeds tend to thrive in neglected areas of the lawn. To prevent weed growth and spread, one must regularly mow the lawn and keep it thick and healthy. Avoid removing more than a third of the grass height at a time, and maintain the recommended grass height for optimal lawn health.
