Georgia Lawn Weed Control Fact Sheet

Blanket and India Crabgrass (Digitaria serotina and longiflora)

Introduction: There are several species of crabgrass that are common weeds in Georgia turfgrasses. They include blanket crabgrass, India crabgrass, smooth crabgrass, tropical crabgrass, southern (hairy) crabgrass and smooth crabgrass.

Description: All crabgrasses are summer annuals except India and blanket crabgrass which can behave as a perennial. Both India and blanket crabgrass are mat forming with creeping stolons. Leaves are crowded on creeping stems. Leaf blades are about 1 inch long. Blanket crabgrass has hairy leaves and sheaths whereas India crabgrass has smooth leaves and sheaths. Both reproduce by stolons and seeds.

Preemergence Control: Preemergence herbicides are the best way to control crabgrass. Examples of preemergence herbicides that can be used on centipede, St. Augustine, bermuda, tall fescue and zoysia to control crabgrass are: Surflan (oryzalin), Balan and Crabgrass Preventer (benefin), Pendulum and Halts (pendimethalin). Team (benefin+trifluralin), and XL (benefin+oryzalin) can also be used. Do not use Pendulum or Halts on turf that has been severely thinned by winter injury. Apply these herbicides from February 15 to March 5 for best control.

Postemergence Control: In centipede, use Vantage (sethoxydim). In St. Augustine, the only option is atrazine (Purge) which will provide fair control of seedling crabgrass. Crabgrass Killer (MSMA) can be used in bermuda, tall fescue and zoysia for control.

Refer to and follow label instructions before using any of the above herbicides.

Produced 5/2001: Jake Price of the Camden County Extension Service in cooperation with Bob Boland, Brantley County Extension and Terry Thigpen, Charlton County Extension.