The Easy Way To Get Rid Of Small Patches Of Crabgrass In Your Lawn And Garden

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Your beautiful green lawn or garden landscape can be ruined by stubborn crabgrass weeds. Crabgrass patches on your lawn are unsightly, invasive, and detrimental because they steal essential nutrients from your grass. They often appear as small yellow grass patches with spiky leaves that are darker and reddish colored on the ends, making them look (sort of) like a crab. Knowing what crabgrass is and how to kill these annoying weed patches can ensure your lawn or garden stays lush and green. The easiest way to get rid of small crabgrass patches in your garden is to do it by hand, using some simple killing methods, or by using a weeder and a trowel tool to dig them up.

There are a couple of species of crabgrass — hairy crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) and smooth crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum). The patches grow about an inch or more, but the large crabgrass can reach heights of over 3 feet. Digging up weeds is not a fun task, but it can be easier with some simple tools. First, get a good pair of gardening gloves, like these COOLJOB Breathable Rubber Coated Gardening Gloves to ensure that your hands will not get dirty. You may also want to invest in a weeder/trowel due tool, which can make pulling the crabgrass a cinch. They are easy to use and very affordable, like this all-in-one WORKPRO Hand Weeder Puller Trowel. 

Crabgrass weeds thrive in USDA hardy zones 6 through 10, liking warmer and drier climates during spring and summer. Remember to remove crabgrass roots completely, since they can quickly seed and begin growing again. You can plant grass seeds in the soil as a replacement to help keep it from coming back. While there are genius tips and tricks for killing crabgrass in your lawn, here are some of the easiest methods to remove it.  

To remove smaller patches of crabgrass, pour boiling water on the target area to kill the weeds before removing them, being careful to keep the water concentrated on the weeds. This method works well if the grass has shallow roots. If you have spread out roots that are difficult to remove by hand, use your weeder trowel tool so pulling up the patches will be easier. Mulch is another helpful solution that gets rid of crabgrass. By putting down a three-inch layer, you can cover up and wilt the crabgrass. Consider Rubberific Premium Shredded Rubber Mulch for your garden. 

Finally, you can spray the surface of your crabgrass with vinegar on hot days to kill it. Once you have weeded out the patches, dispose of them instead of using them for compost or leaving seeds out in your lawn or garden to prevent its spread. If you find the crabgrass is more stubborn or has returned, you may want to explore crabgrass weed killer products for further prevention.