Knowledgebase
crab grass #862622
Asked March 27, 2024, 10:58 AM EDT
Jackson County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
Now is the ideal time to apply crabgrass pre-emergent herbicide in Jackson County. Pre-emergent herbicide should be applied when soil temperature is between 50 and 55 degrees F. The best natural indication that the soil is at the correct temperature is the bloom of the forsythia shrub.
MSU also maintains a Growing Degree Day tracker that monitors daily temperatures at various locations and estimates the overall cumulative “warming” for the season. This Degree Days measure can be used to predict certain natural phenomena. One that is tracked is the temperature for pre-emergent herbicide application. The GDD Tracker can be found at https://gddtracker.msu.edu/
Enter your zip code and choose “Crabgrass PRE” in the right panel. The green band shows where it is optimal to apply crabgrass pre-emergent.
Another excellent reference can be found at https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/timing_crabgrass_pre_emergence_applications
Remember whenever using any fertilizer or herbicide product, read and follow the label directions. And avoid applying where runoff can enter the watershed system.
On 03/27/2024 2:48 PM EDT Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Hello,
Suppliers of chemicals, such as herbicides, go through rigorous qualifications of their products. The directions for safe handling, storage and use of the product is contained in the manufacturer’s label. We cannot offer you a definitive answer concerning the effectiveness of the open product. If you cannot find an answer specifically on the label, consult the manufacturer’s website on recommendation of storage life or call the manufacturer’s consumer help line and ask their representatives.
Here is an article on storing unused garden products for future reference: https://water.unl.edu/article/lawns-gardens-landscapes/safe-winter-pesticide-storage