Quackgrass in the Lawn

Over the past several years, I've been noticing "patches" of quackgrass appearing in my lawn. I fertilize and use a weed killer every year and aerate every fall. Do you have any remedies that I could use to get rid of this quackgrass problem?

First make sure it is quack and not crabgrass. Crabgrass is usually first noticed in mid summer and then can't be missed in the fall when it turns purple and dies after dropping thousands of seeds for next season. Crabgrass can be controlled through proper care and if needed a pre-emergent applied in spring. Corn gluten meal is an eco-friendly preemergent that should be applied when the forsythia bloom. Traditional crabgrass preemergents are applied when the vanhoutte (bridal wreath) spirea bloom and lilac flower buds swell. Quackgrass is a perennial grass weed that is present all season. When you dig out a piece it will have a long white root-like rhizome attached. Unfortunately any thing that kills quack and other perennial weed grasses will also harm your bluegrass. Spot treat problem areas with a total vegetation killer in early May or September and reseed.  Whether using traditional or new environmentally friendly products read and follow label directions carefully. All these products are plant killers and can injure or kill your desirable plants as well as the weeds.

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