Utah weeds · Summer annual grass · peak June – September
How to get rid of Crabgrass in Utah
How to recognize Crabgrass
- A low, spreading clump that radiates from the center like a crab or a star
- Light green blades, wider than most lawn grasses
- Finger-like seed heads late in summer
- Stems that root where they touch the soil
Why it thrives in Utah
Crabgrass sprouts after the soil warms in spring and thrives in sparse, hot spots such as the edges of driveways, rock beds and thin turf. The plant dies with the first hard frost, but it drops a lot of seed first, which is why it returns bigger next year.
How to remove it by hand
- Pull when the clump is small and easy to lift, ideally before it has spread wide.
- Lift from the center of the plant so the roots and the rooted stems come along.
- Pick up any rooted stem pieces left in the soil.
- Bag the plant. Seed heads in particular should not be shaken over the bed.
- Return every week or two through summer.
When to pull it
It sprouts as the soil warms in spring and grows through summer. Pulling before late-summer seed set matters most.
How to keep it from coming back
- Keep beds mulched and planted so bare soil does not heat up and sprout seed.
- Pull seedlings along the edges of hardscape as soon as you see them.
- Do not let plants reach the seed stage.
Crabgrass FAQs
Do I need to pull crabgrass before it seeds?
Yes. A single plant makes a lot of seed, so pulling it before the seed heads open is the most important step.
Will crabgrass die in winter?
The plants die with hard frost, but the seed survives in the soil and sprouts again when it warms. That is why it keeps showing up.
Do you pull crabgrass from lawns?
We focus on beds, rock, edges, cracks and park strips. We do not mow or treat lawns, but we can pull crabgrass along their edges.
Skip the pulling
A weeder from Utah Weed Pullers can handle crabgrass for you: one visit a week, pulled by hand with no sprays, from $322 a month. We serve all of Utah County and Salt Lake County, including Lehi, Provo, Orem, Draper, Sandy, South Jordan, American Fork, Salt Lake City. See every city.