Uncle’s Secret for Crabgrass Control


Uncle’s secret to crabgrass control isn’t really a secret. Uncle has been telling us since we were knee high to a grasshopper. After fifty years’ experience in sod production, Uncle knows a little about killing crabgrass and when Uncle spoke our customers listened. Uncle’s Idiot Proof Lawn Care begins in spring with an understanding there are two different categories of weeds to deal with in your lawn and each requires a different manner of control. Furthermore, understanding routine, timely feedings not only keep the lawn green but keep it thick and aggressive to fight off weed pressure and disease.

Annual grassy weeds, like crabgrass, foxtail and goose grass germinate each spring from seed. Low growing and prostrate to the ground forcing out weak and summer stressed turf grasses for prime real estate in your lawn. Annual grassy weeds die at first hard frost leaving behind bare spots and seeds for the next generation of weeds.
Preventing crabgrass and other annual grassy weeds start now with an application of PREVENT® before the soil warms and crabgrass seeds start to germinate. PREVENT®, when activated, creates a barrier on the soil to kill crabgrass seeds before they mature. In addition, PREVENT® contains a combination of slow and fast release turf food for spring & summer green up.

The real secret to crabgrass control is using two applications of PREVENT®. Uncle’s two application PREVENT® formula extends crabgrass control through heavy spring rains and dry, hot summers while one step formulas simply breakdown and fade away. They didn’t need to tell Uncle, but University testing has shown that two application pre-emergent formulas outperform one application formulas under Kansas and Missouri weather conditions.

Spread the first application of PREVENT® in Mid-March to Mid-April. The second application of PREVENT®, works as a booster shot, going down in late May to early June. For the best results always apply ½” of water within 48 hours after application. 



The second category of weeds are broadleaf weeds. Uncle calls these “salad bar” weeds. Broadleaf weeds like dandelions, henbit, and plantain survive winter. As soils, warm in spring, broadleaf weeds grow and stretch to fill those same bare spots left from dead crabgrass. These two different weeds have a close relationship and help each other to flourish. Eliminating crabgrass will assist in eliminating broadleaf weeds.

The wide leaves of the broadleaf weeds make an easy target for Grass Pad’s granular WEED and FEED, a professional strength broadleaf herbicide plus low nitrogen slow release turf food. Spread WEED and FEED over a wet lawn or morning dew. Apply as needed from April till June on a sunny day when temperatures are above 65°. Do not apply if rain is expected within 48 hours. Do not apply water or mow within 48 hours after application.

Uncle has made lawn care idiot proof. He has thousands of satisfied customers that remind him every year when they come back for their lawn programs. A wise man once said, “Weeds will not make a lawn bad, bad lawns will make weeds.” If you want your lawn to stay thick, lush, and green with fewer weeds, follow Uncle’s Idiot Proof Lawn Care Program. Come on down to the Grass Pad. We’ve got a lot of friendly folks with a lot of great experience to show you how to be successful in maintaining a healthy lawn. You can’t screw it up; even your husband can do it.