If you’re scheduled for our pre-emergent service to prevent crabgrass, there are a few things to know, especially if you are planning on seeding this spring.

A pre-emergent prevents crabgrass and other weed “seeds” from germinating. It does this by creating a barrier in the top 1″ of soil and lasts approximately four months. Crabgrass is a warm-season annual and will aggressively outcompete cool-season grasses when temperatures are warmer and under drought stress in summer. We manage crabgrass a bit differently than other companies. We automatically follow up in subsequent visits to monitor and treat any breakthrough as necessary. Technicians monitor these “hot spot” areas where crabgrass likes to grow—edges of driveways, high compaction areas that get more foot traffic, etc. Crabgrass plants germinating in your lawn, are tiny. It is possible during these visits; some plants may not be visible. Since we’re providing our services to you, we want to ensure satisfaction and proper communication. If you notice these plants pop up between our visits, please let us know. We’re happy to return as service calls are no additional cost to you.

Crabgrass is a monocot or grass, plants-like dandelions, clover, plantain, and so on, are dicots or broadleaf plants. Follow-up monitoring will ensure we manage them as they are germinating, just like we do with the more common broadleaf weeds. 

By design a pre-emergent prevents weed seeds from germinating!  

If you try to do spring seeding, IT WILL prevent those seeds from germinating as well. Any spring seeding you are planning should be held off, if possible, until September. Fall is almost always the best time to grow grass. We strive for the best results. We want to ensure your satisfaction.  

People perform spring seeding to thicken areas that may have been damaged by plowing or winter kill. If this is you, then it’s essential to let us know AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. That way, we can delay this treatment. If you postpone this visit, there is a short window we have to return to protect your lawn.  Once soil temperatures reach 50-55 degrees, the window has closed.  Options to manage crabgrass becomes more expensive at this point. Since temperatures vary from site to site, full sun areas will be the first to germinate. If you delay, we won’t be able to guarantee effectiveness. To prevent multiple visits to your property, we will perform other scheduled services with this visit.

If you are planning to seed this spring, we ask is that you communicate with us immediately, so you don’t waste time and money. Please let us know by email or call us at 207-989-1433. We keep detailed notes for each of our clients and will to notate your account. Your technician will see these notes and can make an assessment. Know that if we delay and the crabgrass germinates, your only option is to add the additional service. It will be an additional cost. Please understand that if you are planning to seed and timing isn’t right, options become limited, and expense increases. September is the ideal time to seed a lawn.

Preventing crabgrass is complicated; we want you to be happy with the services we’re providing. Communicating before misunderstandings happen is essential so we can avoid disappointments. Keeping an active email address and phone number on your account, ensures timely communication. We want to keep you informed to make decisions to prevent complications.