Steve Ravet wrote in message ...
My lawn went from less than 10% St. Augustine to over 80% in just a few
years with only occasional watering and regular mowing. It overcame
everything but crabgrass, which came in a couple years ago when there
was a total ban on watering in Pflugerville. The crabgrass is very
thick, thicker even than the St. Augustine. They've battled each other
to a standstill. Is there something I can use to knock back the
crabgrass and give the St. Augustine a chance to move in? I read about
using pre-emergents but it's too late for that now. Anything else?

thanks,
--steve

Asulox was labeled for postemergence control in St. Augustine grass
turf. A single application at 5 pints per acre was recommended for
crabgrass control in St. Augustine grass. It worked, but Asulox is no
longer available for crabgrass control. It was universally used for
that purpose and since its withdrawal from the marketplace no
substitute has been made available.

Summer control of crabgrass is done by hand weeding or with a
herbicide that kills both the crabgrass and the desired plants. Most
species of crabgrass are annuals, and are killed by winter's cold.
Crabgrass is best controlled in late February or March by application
of a pre-emergence herbicide. These herbicides claim to work, but I
have had no success with them.

This leaves hand weeding of crabgrass and planting St. Augustine
plugs.