The Best Way To Get Rid of Crabgrass in Hot Weather

If you see rough-textured, light green patches taking over your turf, that’s crabgrass. Crabgrass is a heat-loving, fast-spreading weed that thrives during the warmer seasons, especially in stressed or thinning lawns.

In the heat of the Georgia summer, you can expect to see a lot more crabgrass growing on your turf, which can be difficult to get rid of. And once the temperatures soar into the 80s and 90s around July or August, it’s too late for general preventative measures like fertilization. 

Summer infestations need targeted treatment, or crabgrass will keep spreading, setting you up for more trouble next year. Here’s how to get rid of crabgrass and stop it from coming back.

What Makes Crabgrass Thrive in Georgia Summers

Hot weather and bare soil are all crabgrass needs to take off. Georgia’s long, humid summers and heavy clay soil give it the perfect growing environment. In these conditions, it’s not uncommon to see crabgrass grow up to two feet tall. 

Worse, its trailing stems form new roots at the nodes that come into contact with the soil, creating more colonies that can outcompete desirable turfgrass. It spreads from seed, and just one plant can release thousands before fall. 

That’s why it’s so important to act fast before it matures and has a chance to spread its seeds. Once it does, it sets the stage for an even bigger infestation next season, especially if lawn conditions stay the same.

Other factors that contribute to crabgrass infestations are:

• Low mowing height that exposes the soil to sunlight
• Dry, stressed grass that can’t compete with weed growth
• Compacted red clay soil that restricts healthy turf development
• Unfilled bare spots where weeds gain a foothold

How To Get Rid of Crabgrass That’s Already Growing

If crabgrass is already visible in your lawn, don’t panic. Read below for tips on how to get rid of crabgrass that you can do right now. 

1. Spot-Treat With a Post-Emergent Herbicide

Post-emergent control is your best friend when it comes to keeping your turf weed-free. Look for a product that targets crabgrass without harming your grass type. 

Focus on spot-treating patches. Apply early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are under 90°F, as post-emergent herbicides can evaporate or even harm turf if it’s too hot. Avoid mowing or watering the area immediately after treatment as this can wash away or disrupt the product’s effectiveness. 

Important: Don’t use non-selective herbicides like glyphosate unless you’re treating cracks in sidewalks or driveways. These products kill every plant they touch.

2. Pull Up Small Patches by Hand, Carefully

This only works if the infestation is light.  Be sure to remove the entire root system, or it’ll grow right back. Pulling is easier after a rain or after soaking the area with water. Keep in mind that disturbed soil can trigger more crabgrass germination, so reseed or mulch afterward if needed.

Important: Mature crabgrass has dark-green leaves that are long and wide, with fine hairs along their edges. In contrast, young crabgrass is lighter green in color, with smooth and short leaves. What you want is to pull up crabgrass when they are still young. Don’t disturb patches full of mature crabgrass. If the plant has already gone to seed, raking or mowing can scatter thousands of seeds and spread the problem. 

3. Improve Mowing and Watering Practices

Crabgrass thrives when turf is stressed. To keep your lawn healthy and better equipped to fight off weeds, follow these tips:

• Raise your mowing height to help grass shade the soil and crowd out weeds. Bermuda can be kept shorter, but fescue and zoysia benefit from a bit more length.
• Water deeply and less frequently to promote deep roots and thicker growth.
• Avoid scalping the lawn during hot months, as this exposes the soil and encourages crabgrass to spread.

How To Prevent Crabgrass From Coming Back

Once you’ve dealt with this season’s crabgrass, it’s time to take preventative measures. This process should start months before crabgrass even shows up. 

1. Apply Pre-emergent in Early Spring

Use a pre-emergent herbicide in late February or March, before the soil reaches 55°F. This blocks crabgrass seeds from sprouting without harming your turf.

2. Aerate Compacted Soil

Georgia’s clay-heavy soil gets compacted easily, especially in high-traffic areas. Aeration helps loosen the soil, improve root growth, and create better growing conditions for grass, not weeds.

3. Overseed and Thicken Your Turf

Thick, healthy grass is your best defense against crabgrass. Overseeding in fall helps fill bare patches before weeds can take hold in spring.

4. Fertilize Based on Your Grass Type

Warm-season grasses like Bermuda and zoysia respond well to fertilizer in summer, while cool-season grasses like fescue should be fertilized in fall. Too much fertilizer at the wrong time can stress turf and encourage weed growth.

How Lawn Care Services Help

Keeping your lawn healthy year-round keeps crabgrass and other weeds out. But doing so takes a lot of time and effort. It also requires specialized knowledge of grass varieties, soil conditions, and when to apply treatments like fertilizer, herbicides, and pre-emergents.

Lawn care professionals know how to spot early signs of turf stress, compaction, or fungal issues before weeds take hold. They adjust applications based on weather, soil temperatures, and how your lawn grows during each part of the year.

With a reliable service, your lawn gets consistent attention, and you don’t have to second-guess what it needs from month to month. 

Get Local Lawn Care You Can Count On

If you’re tired of fighting stubborn weeds or want a healthier lawn that stays green through summer, turn to Magnolia Lawns. As experts in lawn care, we know how to get rid of crabgrass and prevent its return. 

We are a premier lawn care provider based in Suwanee, offering customized programs to homeowners and businesses across Gwinnett County. With our services, you can transform your lawn into a healthy, thriving outdoor space you’ll be proud to show off to the neighbors. 
Contact us today to request a free estimate!