Spring is the best time to apply crabgrass preventer in Wisconsin, specifically from mid- to late April.
Aim for a soil temperature of around 50 F and monitor local weather and soil conditions to time your application just right. Applying too early or too late can lead to crabgrass overtaking your lawn.
Best time: Spring
In Wisconsin, the best time to apply crabgrass preventer is in spring, ideally between mid- and late April.
The key is the soil temperature — it needs to be around 50 F. Normally, this falls between April 15th and May 1st, but sometimes, Wisconsin’s unpredictable weather might have you starting as early as March.
Crabgrass is an invasive weed that can be a nuisance to lawns. It germinates when the soil stays at 55 F for a few days, which usually happens in late April. To effectively manage crabgrass, pre-emergent herbicides should be applied when soil temperatures reach around 50 F, just before germination.
Why timing is important:
- If you apply too early, crabgrass preventer may break down before it’s needed.
- If you apply too late, you’ll be dealing with an army of crabgrass taking over your lawn.
Additional tips:
- Choose the best grasses for Wisconsin, which are cool-season varieties, as they thrive in the state’s climate. However, they require proper maintenance to effectively compete with invasive weeds like crabgrass.
- Keep an eye on local weather patterns, as they can impact grass growth and weed competition.
- Check your local soil temperature using the GreenCast tool, while also monitoring the soil temperature in your yard using a soil thermometer.
Pro Tip: Don’t have a soil thermometer? Look for blooming forsythia bushes. These cheerful flowers are usually the first to appear in Wisconsin. Their yellow blossoms signal that crabgrass seeds are waking up from dormancy and are most vulnerable to pre-emergent herbicides.
Helpful guides for your Wisconsin yard
If you’re dealing with other lawn invaders aside from crabgrass, check these related resources:
- The Most Common Weeds in Wisconsin
- When to Apply Weed and Feed in Wisconsin
- When to Apply Grub Control in Wisconsin
For maintaining a healthy and beautiful lawn and landscape in Wisconsin that goes beyond just dealing with pesky intruders, here are some informative guides:
Lawn care:
- Month-to-Month Wisconsin Lawn Care Calendar
- The Best Time to Aerate Your Lawn in Wisconsin
- The Best Time to Dethatch Your Lawn in Wisconsin
- The Best Time to Plant Grass Seed in Wisconsin
- When Does Grass Stop Growing in Wisconsin?
- The Best Weed and Feed for Wisconsin Lawns
Clover lawns:
Best plants:
FAQ about crabgrass in Wisconsin
What other practices can help reduce crabgrass?
You can do a few simple things to keep crabgrass in check:
- Mow higher: Keep your grass at least 3 inches tall, especially in the summer, so it can crowd out crabgrass.
- Fertilize at the right times: Feed your lawn in early June and mid-October to keep it thick and healthy.
- Hand-pull weeds: For small patches, just pull the crabgrass by hand to stop it from spreading.
For a more comprehensive guide on preventing and treating existing crabgrass in your lawn, read: “How to Get Rid of Crabgrass.”
Can I fertilize my lawn in spring while applying crabgrass preventer?
No, you should avoid fertilizing your lawn in early spring. While April is the best time for applying crabgrass preventer, fertilizing at this time can actually feed crabgrass and other weeds, making them harder to control. It can also promote lawn diseases.
Instead, use a crabgrass preventer without fertilizer in the spring and save fertilization for early June.
What should I do if crabgrass still appears in my yard?
If crabgrass still makes its way into your yard, summer is your next chance to fight back. From late June through August, you can apply post-emergent herbicides to spot-treat those pesky patches.
Look for products that contain the selective herbicide quinclorac for the best results. Other effective options include herbicides with dithiopyr or fenoxaprop-p-ethyl.
Pro Tip: Focus on the edges and trouble spots, and while it might not be as efficient as the pre-emergent route, it can still help keep your lawn looking its best.
Need further help? Hire a professional
Applying crabgrass preventer at just the right time can be tricky, and managing your lawn’s health takes a lot of work.
A local lawn care expert can handle it all — timing the applications perfectly and giving your lawn the care it needs to stay weed-free and lush. Hire a lawn care pro to maintain your lawn so you can enjoy a beautiful, healthy yard without the hassle.
Main Image Credit: NY State IPM Program at Cornell University | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 2.0
