"Kurt Tappe" wrote in message
news:2004072413081516807%ktappe@NOvoicenetSPAMcom. ..
snip
So guess whose lawn has been taken over by crabgrass?

The infestation literally stops at the property line. My (former) lawn
is 90% crabgrass while my negiligent neighbors have attractive grass.

The obvious conclusion is that my efforts are somehow causing/allowing
the crabgrass to flourish. I wait until the lawn is pretty high to
mow--no scalping is taking place. I have not put pre-emergents
down...but neither did the neighbors. Could the weed & feed be
weakening the grass enough that the (apparently immune) crabgrass can
take hold? If so does this mean the whole weed & feed concept is a
farce?

Keep one thing in mind, true Crab Grass is an annual grass, not a perennial.
This years crab grass will not be your problem next season. It is this years
seeds that will germinate next year. So controlling Crab Grass means to
prevent the seeds from germinating the next season. Pre emergent lawn
treatment early spring should help prevent the previous years seeds from
germinating. Also a good healthy crop of dense truf grass will also
squeeze out crab grass and help keep seeds from germinating. When you mow
your grass, set the mower deck higher than it is now, unless you already mow
high. Cutting your truf too low will give your neighbors crab grass the sun
it needs to germinate. Keep your lawn thick and lush to prevent it crab
grass from growing in your lawn.

Here a several links that may help.
http://www.growinglifestyle.com/h/pest/crabgrass/

I am not sure which product has pre emergent in it. If it is Weed And Feed
make sure it is applied at the right time for your zone. Look for the words
pre emergent on the bag. And apply it at the recommended time. Weed and
feed applied here has helped control run away ground covers such as ajuga.
It is doing something good but you need the right product for the job you
want done.

Take a specimine of the grass you are calling crab grass, to your county
extension office to make sure it is indeed crab grass. There are other
grasses that are invasive that look similar to crab grass. For example,
Bermuda Grass creeps and spreads where it is not wanted. Bermuda grass seed
is found in some grass mixes. [yikes]


Wil