Crabgrass (Digitaria) is a genus of plants in the grass family and it is native to regions with warmer temperatures. It is known to be a grassy weed that sprouts in thin patches of grass or in dried-out lawns. Even though it is a nasty weed that nobody likes, it only lasts one growing season. However, in that one growing season the plant spreads thousands of seeds that sprout very quickly so if it is not treated properly it can potentially take over the yard. This article will give you some tips on how to get rid of the crabgrass growing in your lawn.

Killing crabgrass:
Herbicides that kill crabgrass can potentially kill desirable grass like bluegrass or fescue. That is why it is important to always read the labels on the products that are being used to kill the weed. There is also the option of just pulling the plant out of the yard, but this works best when the plant is young because it will only leave a small hole that desirable grass would quickly fill in. If you notice that the crabgrass’ seed heads are present but still folded up tightly against the plant then that is okay to pull too, but if the seed heads have opened and spread out it is not recommended to pull the weed because it could spread more seeds over the lawn and in the hole that was created when the plant was ripped out.

Preventing crabgrass from growing:
Mowing your lawn has a big impact on how crabgrass goes. You want to mow your lawn to the proper height depending on the type of grass you have. Higher grass shades the surrounding soil which prevents the germination of any crabgrass seeds. The way your lawn is watered also affects the way the weed grows. Infrequent/shallow watering can actually weaken the roots of your grass which would make it easier for the crabgrass to grow. Watering your lawn deeply and less frequently will keep the roots strong and will prevent weeds from sprouting.

Another easy way to help prevent crabgrass from growing is to use a preemergent. This is just a product that inhibits crabgrass seedlings from growing, and it can come in chemical and even natural products. If a crabgrass plant is pulled out from a lawn and it leaves a large area of uncovered soil, some seeds may fall off and end up sprouting again if you are not careful. It is best to reseed the patch with the desired grass seeds quickly after pulling. The perfect time to do this is in the Fall because it will have time to establish itself before Winter, so when Spring rolls around there will be nice, healthy grass growing where a weed once did.

Your lawn mower has worked steady all summer long, but now it's time for the cold months to hit. It's important to take the time to winterize your lawn mower to ensure it continues to work next season. Here are four steps you need to take to protect your mower:

1.) Change The Oil
Changing your lawnmower oil is fairly simple to do. The most important part is identifying which type of oil your mower takes, 4-Cycle or 2-Cycle engine oil. As you will find, some mowers run on 2-Cycle oil, which is a mix of the engine oil and gas. It's extremely important to know which type of oil your motor takes so you can put the right type in.

You will need an oil pan and something to catch any splatter, such as a small tarp. You want to prop your mower on its side with the carburetor and air filter facing towards the sky. This will ensure no droppings get in either area. Pull out the oil reservoir plug and continue to tilt the mower until all the oil drains out. Once empty secure the plug, put the lawnmower back upright, and add new oil.

2.) Drain The Gas Tank
Leaving gas in your lawnmower in the cold winter months can lead to a gummy build-up of stale gas that can harm your motor and lead to rust. You can find siphoning tools at your local store that can help you pump the gas from your fuel tank to a can.

It's recommended to start by adding fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank. Reading the label on the fuel stabilizer bottle will give you the correct measurement to add. Turn the mower on for about 30 seconds to allow the stabilizer to get dispersed throughout the entire fuel system.

Turn the mower off and let the engine cool down. Next, go ahead and siphon that excess gas out of the tank. Lastly, restart your lawnmower and let it run until it dies out. This will ensure that all fuel lines are empty.

3.) Empty The Carburetor
After draining the fuel tank you also need to take care of draining the carburetor. Even though you ran the lawnmower out of fuel, there will be some excess fuel remaining in the carburetor bowl. If left in the bowl through the winter months, the fuel can cause unwanted corrosion.

A carburetor bowl is a cylindrical-shaped part that typically has one or two bolts holding it onto the motor. If there is only a single bolt holding it in place you will need to remove the bolt and the carburetor to drain it. If there are two bolts holding it in place, typically the off-center bolt is a drain. This makes it easier as you don't need to remove the carburetor in its entirety, rather you just loosen the bolt and drain out the excess fuel.

Now that you have all the fluids drained out of your lawnmower it's time to flip it over and start on the final preparation step.

4.) Clean It
This may seem like a simple concept. Grab the hose and spray off on the loose grass clippings. However, turning the mower over and spraying the hose may not work so well. It's a good idea to remove the blade from your lawnmower to give you access to the area underneath the deck.

Using a wire brush, broom, or putty knife ensures you get all built-up grass off of the deck. Be sure you also clear out the pathway for the discharge chute, as much grass will build-up in there as well. This step will help to prevent rust from forming on the machine, as you remove the grass that is soaked with moisture. Be sure to sharpen and reattach the blade when you're done.

By following these few steps before Winter, your mower will be good to go come Spring! You will be able to add new fuel, and then start your mower to take care of your lawn.