With the return of consistent, if not excessive, rain after a dry patch during May and the first half of June, lawns are actively growing in Florida’s panhandle. This results in some positive aspects and some negative.
The major positive feature is a lush, green lawn. No matter the turf species, there is a unique pride to having a yard with carpet-like characteristics to complement all the other boast worthy landscape features.
This intended monoculture is supported with the regular application of sufficient quantities of water. Conveniently, the rain has replaced the need for daily irrigation which can prove to be an expensive proposition depending on the size of the lawn and the overall weather conditions.
One of the most commonly cited negative facets is the necessity for mowing. The schedule for prescribed trimmings may require mowing twice weekly to maintain the turf at an acceptable height, especially if a homeowners’ association (HOA) is involved.
A potentially more expensive and ruinous negative is the aggressive return of weeds, and panhandle Florida has plenty. Some are overt and quickly recognized while other are surreptitious, going unrecognized until they are well established.
Southern crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris) is actively growing across the panhandle under the summer sun. The annual will aggressively dominate competing species and quickly overwhelm turf species.
Crabgrass is one such lawn invader. Digitaria, as this genus of plants is botanically known, has at least five species in Florida which generate aggravation and expense for turf managers.
In the panhandle these annuals have had no respectable use in the pantheon of agriculture or horticulture, until recent years. As it turns out this native weed is a nutrient loaded forage which beef and dairy cattle, sheep and goats can add to their diet.
Given the low growing nature of this plant, it can produce secondary problems for a horse. With a very different digestive system, horses are likely to ingest sand along with the crabgrass and become ill.
The low growing capabilities of north Florida’s crabgrasses allow them to adapt to regular mowing. Mowers may help spread this weed when the equipment tears out viable branches with nodes or joints which will root if they reach an adequate environment.
Like other members of the large family of plants known as grasses, crabgrass flourishes in full sun. In home lawns, places where turfgrasses are thin or have been damaged are ideal sites for crabgrass to get started.
Its methodology for dominance is twofold. The first is the rapid growth which overtakes and shades out preferred turf species.
The second is prolific seed production which is completed in autumn. Each plant has the potential to produce 150,000 tiny but vigorous seeds for the next spring’s sprouting.
The seeds are scattered a variety of ways, but usually not very far from the parent plant. Germination occurs when soil temperatures reach the mid 50s.
With the state of herbicide technology, there are few options for control which do not kill the desirable turf also. The common control, but not eradication, strategy is to use a preemergent herbicide.
Application usually begins in February with a second application following a few weeks later (depending on label directions).
If crabgrass’ presence is not a problem, the homeowner can add it to the collection of native weeds and grasses in most home lawns. With the blend of forage in the homestead’s yard a goat can be grazed, but check with the HOA first.
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