Lawn Care
Crabgrass Preventative in Washington, MI: Why Spring Treatment is Essential
| Apr 05, 2026
Crabgrass plants in walkway. Photo: Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org
Spring is the season when homeowners in Washington, MI, begin thinking about getting their lawns ready for the warmer months ahead. One of the most important lawn care treatments you can do to protect your lawn from weeds is to apply a crabgrass preventative. A crabgrass control treatment will protect your lawn from crabgrass as well as some broadleaf weeds.
Crabgrass is an invasive grass plant that starts to grow in the warmer spring weather and can quickly spread across your lawn if left unchecked. Crabgrass competes with your grass for nutrients, water, sunlight and space, often leaving behind a sparse, unhealthy lawn after the crabgrass dies in the fall.
The key to controlling crabgrass is timing. Applying a crabgrass preventative before the soil temperature reaches around 55°F ensures that the crabgrass seeds never have a chance to grow into plants that can compete with your desirable grass plants. A pre-emergent herbicide works by forming a protective barrier in the soil, blocking the crabgrass seeds from growing after they germinate. This simple lawn care application can help keep your lawn looking lush and healthy all season long.
In addition to crabgrass prevention, regular lawn care practices such as lawn aeration, proper watering, mowing and fertilization are essential for maintaining a thick, healthy lawn that naturally resists crabgrass and weeds.
For homeowners in Washington, crabgrass prevention is crucial to maintaining a thick, green lawn. Don’t let crabgrass and weeds take over - call Owen Tree and Lawn Care in the early spring and enjoy a beautiful, weed-free lawn throughout this growing season.