The Secret to a Crabgrass-Free Lawn: Two Pre-Emergent Applications in Spring

• On May 05 2025

Here's a not-so-fun fact: Did you know that a single crabgrass plant can produce up to 150,000 seeds in its lifetime? Good luck uprooting each and every one of these plants! If this staggering fact overwhelms you — and you'd rather not spend hours digging up weed roots — we can help you get a handle on incoming spring weeds.

Not one, but TWO pre-emergent crabgrass control applications are our secret weapon in protecting our customers' lawns. Without it, weedy invaders would penetrate their lawns in every nook and cranny! Here's how you can get a head start on battling weeds with effective pre-emergent applications before they appear.

What is Pre-Emergent?

Pre-emergent is an early weed control application that targets weed seeds before they germinate and grow. It is formulated to stop crabgrass seeds from ever sprouting, ensuring your home remains blemish-free. Instead of acting as a weed killer that targets existing weeds, it prevents future weeds from appearing. Pre-emergent treatments create a barrier that suspends seed cell division and stops the roots from developing.

How to Crowd Out Moss From Your Lawn

To avoid this significant soil nutrient depletion, your lawn must be strong enough to withstand its fast-growing rival. When moss competes, your lawn should compete harder! One method of fighting against growth is by allowing your grass to crowd it out. One of the ways you can help your lawn fill in moss spaces is by aerating in the fall. Removing soil plugs from your yard opens airways and improves the circulation within the soil. It will help your turf and soil breathe again, free from excess moisture. Once you aerate, you can follow it up with an overseeding to thicken your turf and reclaim those lawn spaces that moss took over.

Why Does Agrolawn Apply Pre-Emergent in The Spring?

We've got our timing down to a science. Agrolawn aligns its applications with the germination times of common weeds in Virginia and Maryland, including crabgrass and Japanese stiltgrass. We aim to apply our pre-emergent before these weeds germinate—staying ahead of weeds! By applying an early spring control product during the germination window, we can achieve the highest treatment efficacy possible. The resulting weed-free yard will give your lawn the space to mature and suppress nutrient-stealing weeds.

Agrolawn's Choice of Pre-Emergent Solution: Dimension®

Our favorite trusted product is a top-of-the-line pre-emergent control product. Dimension is a granular pre-emergent herbicide that we have used with great success for our customers. It not only controls crabgrass but also includes a fertilizer for your newly awakened lawn.

Our AgroBasic lawn care plan conquers weed seeds in two steps:

1. Step 1: Crabgrass pre-emergent. Our first visit of the season includes an application of pre-emergent herbicide, which targets crabgrass. Crabgrass is one of the first weeds to appear in the spring and lasts all growing season, so tackling this hardy weed between March and April is our first priority.
2. Step 2: Broadleaf pre-emergent. In April and May, we follow the initial herbicide treatment with a broadleaf liquid application, which controls over 35 common weeds in the Chesapeake watershed region, including chickweed, dandelion, plantain, and clover.
3. Step 3: Second Crabgrass pre-emergent with slow-release fertilizer will reinforce your lawns ability to defend off crabgrass throughout the summer.

What Should I Do Once The Pre-Emergent Is Applied?

Keep your lawn mowed at 3.5 inches or higher to naturally dissuade weeds from making it their home. The higher grass shades the sun from hitting the soil, so weeds won't grow. High-cut turf will also push out weedy invaders.

Additionally, don't apply new grass seed during this time. Pre-emergent control products aren't discriminating - they will have a negative effect on the new seedlings. Regardless, the best time to overseed your lawn is in the fall, when the temperate climate supports seed development, so stow away that seed for a later date!

How Else Can I Reduce Weeds In My Lawn?

Pre-emergents are a solid choice when planning your weed-free lawn care strategy. However, it's not the only thing you can do to mitigate weeds in your lawn. You can focus on the vitality and density of your lawn by investing in a reliable lawn care program. A formidable and dense lawn has thick foliage and strong roots that will naturally crowd out weeds.

Our program includes everything your turfgrass needs to blossom. It is composed of multiple fertility-boosting fertilizer applications and a powerful, long-lasting grub control. Best of all, our lawn programs not only control crabgrass and other annual weeds but also focus on creating a flourishing lawn. Here's what you can expect from our AgroBasic lawn care program in the spring:

• Two pre-emergents with fertilizer combination applications between March and June
• A liquid application of broadleaf weed control that targets over 35 local weeds between April and May

Weed Out Trespassers With Agrolawn's Pre-Emergent Solutions!

Don't let weeds dampen your spring days - tell crabgrass and other green stragglers to take a hike with Agrolawn! Our comprehensive year-round lawn care program will defeat broadleaf weeds and crabgrass before they sprout. Contact Agrolawn today to conquer spring weeds once and for all.