How do I get rid of crabgrass on new sod?

Question

I bought my house about 3 months ago, so Im guessing the sod has been down now for 3 1/2 to 4 months, putting it at late Oct early Nov. I put down my pre-emergent stuff as soon as I moved in, right around Thanksgiving. Now I have crabgrass and weeds all over my yard and it looks atrocious. I have Bermuda grass in both my front and backyard, and it goes dormant this time of year, but it should start to turn by March/April, so I dont want my yard to look like crap when I go to re-landscape and add my flowers and shrubs. The builder put in some lousy bushes. I live in GA north of Atlanta so if any locals have an idea let me know.

Answer 1

Put out your crabgrass preventer when the Forsythia (those yellow-flowered gangly bushes) are in full bloom. Then apply again in June, especially if it is a wet year in your area. That should cover you against crabgrass until fall '07, when your pre-emergent application to prevent winter weeds like henbit and chickweed should go down. Thanksgiving was a little early to apply preventer to new sod; I hope you did not damage it.
By the way, it is too early for crabgrass to be showing in Atlanta - you probably have a cool-season grass in your sod, like annual Bluegrass, Annual Ryegrass, or Fescue. The Annuals will die out on their own in the summer heat, while Fescue will probably have to be hand-removed to get it out of the Bermuda.

Answer 2

Crabgrass In New Sod

Answer 3

Apply pre-emergent in early spring. March 1st in Atlanta??

Spray weed-b-gone on broadleaf weeds. pull (yep, by hand) the crabgrass after you have had a good, soaking rain. It will come out easier.

you will probably want to re-apply the pre-emergent about mid june to minimize the chance for the crabgrass to come back late season.

Answer 4

Weed and feed...