Most grassy weeds are hard to control and take a toll on your evergreen, well-maintained lawn grass. That said, crabgrass is one of the most notorious grassy weeds gardeners have to deal with.
Crabgrass germinates from mid-spring to mid-summer and gets more vegetative through the summer growing season. Later in the season, it flowers and sets seeds.
Crabgrass perpetuates by dropping numerous seeds all over the place it has grown. If not controlled, these seeds will grow in the next season leading to the emergence of new weeds in your lawn.
Of significance, crabgrass is an annual weed but behaves like a perennial because of its intermediate growth pattern.
If you have crabgrass growing in your lawn, you will have to find means of eradicating it. This is where herbicides like tenacity become handy. This post will help you learn how to use tenacity, how it works, and whether it can kill crabgrass or not.
Does tenacity kill crabgrass?
Tenacity is a great and among the most popularly honored herbicides available in farm stores. It has mesotrione as its main active ingredient.
Mesotrione (tenacity) is a confirmed chemical that is effective in killing most stubborn grasses. It works well for crabgrass without affecting your lawn and other ornamental plants. As such, you can use tenacity on your farm to selectively kill problematic weeds like crabgrass and leave behind other crops.
Notably, tenacity works best when applied in spring, almost four weeks before the target grass seeds start germinating.
Is using tenacity the best way to kill crabgrass
There are very many types of broadleaf herbicides that you can use to kill crabgrass. However, some gardeners will always want the best control of the weeds, especially those growing on their lush lawns.
Tenacity is arguably the best herbicide for killing crabgrass and other tough summer weeds. It is a selective herbicide in that it only kills selected herbs and weeds that commonly grow during the warm and cool seasons. This allows other desirable plants to grow healthy and strong.
Mesotrione (tenacity) is also an honorable mention when it comes to both post-emergent and pre-emergent herbicides. It has gained trust from its users, and the fact that only a small quantity of tenacity is needed for a large area makes it a preferred option for controlling pesky weeds.
Of importance, tenacity is poisonous.
How to use tenacity to kill crabgrass
Most weed control herbicides like tenacity are liquid and should be diluted before use. The active (40%) Mesotrione is the primary ingredient in tenacity. It is sourced from a natural compound that is produced by Callistemon citrinus, which is also referred to as the bottlebrush plant.
This active ingredient inhibits photosynthesis and blocks other growth enzymes from circulating within plant tissues. This makes weeds unable to make adequate food and eventually die, reducing their biomass.
While other weak herbicides only destroy sections of a weed, tenacity is effective in killing the entire plant because it gets on the leaves, and other portions are absorbed from the soil by the roots. The chemical moves through the xylem and phloem systems of the plant and kills it completely. For this reason, you can be sure of getting long-term weed control results after its application.
To use, mix one teaspoon of the tenacity with two gallons of clean water and two teaspoons of a high-quality non-ionic surfactant. Add a teaspoon of turf coloring to help you identify the areas you have sprayed and those you have not sprayed. After mixing all contents in a spray pump, make sure to use it within 24 hours for effective results. Spray on a cool day in spring or fall when the temperature is below 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Let it dry for about two hours, and allow your pets and children to play on the lawn.
Conclusion
Crabgrass is a pesky and hard-to-control grassy weed. When searching for a herbicide in stores, you will find several brands, but not all are potent to handle crabgrass effectively.
Unlike many products, tenacity works to completely eradicate crabgrass from your lawn. Make sure you mix appropriate quantities of the herbicide, water, and other additional ingredients to make an effective weed spray.
Take precautionary measures while preparing and spraying herbicide as the ingredients can be harmful.