Crabgrass in Grape Plantings
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Crabgrass (Digitaria spp.) are common summer annual grasses that tolerate most soil conditions. Leaves are broad and up to 1⁄2 inch wide. The first seedling leaves are parallel to the ground, unlike most other grass cotyledons that are perpendicular. Plants spread readily by rooting at the nodes; however, reproduction is by seed. Seed heads typically consist of three to seven spikes, but they may have more. Plants die after the first heavy frost.
Crabgrass growth habit.
(Photo: Doug Doohan, Ohio State University, Bugwood.org)
Crabgrass flowers.
(Photo: Joseph M. DiTomasco, University of California, Davis, Bugwood.org)
Management:
- Apply pre-emergent grass herbicides prior to seed germination (when soil temperature is 57°F at a 1-inch depth, approximately early April).
- Invest in a soil thermometer to ensure timely herbicide applications.
- Post-emergent herbicides are less effective than pre-emergents.
