Get matched with top weed maintenance pros in Caledonia, MS

No, it's not really possible to completely prevent weed growth. Weeds are incredibly resilient—all they usually need is a tiny bit of dirt to sprout, so their eventual appearance is pretty much inevitable. However, you can definitely keep them at bay by getting rid of weeds as soon as you notice them. The longer you let them sit and grow roots, the more they'll spread.

The best time to fight crabgrass with pre-emergent herbicide is when forsythias tend to bloom. In the mid-Atlantic region, this is usually between April and May. Even if you're late to apply the herbicide, it’s effective as long as the crabgrass plant has fewer than five leaves.

Johnsongrass and crabgrass are invasive weeds that can overtake your lawn. Crabgrass is a low-growing grass most often seen in lawns, flower beds, and vegetable gardens. While you may find Johnsongrass growing in your lawn, it will also grow in pastures, crop fields, and the edge of the road. Johnsongrass is much coarser than crabgrass. If left alone, Johnsongrass can grow up to 8 feet tall. 

A spot herbicide for weed control is effective at killing crabgrass and not grass, but it depends on the type of herbicide. Always check the label to ensure that your herbicide is safe for grass but tough on crabgrass. Overall, spot treatment is ideal because it puts fewer herbicides into the soil, which can damage the soil. If you’re wanting a natural remedy to crabgrass that also won’t harm surrounding grass, you can also hand-remove crabgrass or even pour boiling water or 5% vinegar over crabgrass as a spot treatment.