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Does some crabgrass lie more flat than others, and can it save us? #849752

Asked September 13, 2023, 12:05 PM EDT

A still decent looking grassy median in an HEB parking lot, after months of intense Houston heat, had mixed grass types, St. Augustine,crabgrass and Bermuda. My question is whether there are distinct types of crabgrass, some of which lie flatter, or whether the flat appearance is from mowing only. My own lawn issue is St. Augustine Decline that never goes away and leaves my lawn pock-marked looking. A solution under consideration is to get away from mono-culture and have a well mowed, mixed lawn of St. Augustine remnants, Bermuda, and low lying crabgrass which can resemble St. Augustine in its leaves. I attach three pics of crabgrass. Comments? Crabgrass seeds anyone? A solution to our 'new summers' perhaps?

Harris County Texas

Expert Response

Thanks for submitting your question!

I've had a conversation with some other horticulture agents and all are in agreement that they would certainly welcome a mixed lawn. Some even do the same.

Smooth crabgrass
Smooth Crabgrass - AggieTurf (tamu.edu)

Large crabgrass
Large Crabgrass - AggieTurf (tamu.edu)

While not recent, here is a link about crabgrass. https://aggie-hort.tamu.edu/plantanswers/turf/publications/weed12.html#:~:text=Two%20species%20of%20crabgrass%20are,the%20first%20frost%20in%20fall.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 22, 2023, 11:12 AM EDT

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