Dallisgrass vs Crabgrass (Photos) – How to Tell the Difference

I’ve seen many lawns plagued by grassy weeds that blend in with regular grass, making them tricky to spot until they’ve already spread.

Two of the most common grass-like weeds I encounter are dallisgrass and crabgrass. These sneaky invaders can make a lawn look patchy and uneven. I’ve learned that telling them apart is the first step to getting rid of them and bringing back that perfect green lawn we all want.

Key Takeaways

• Grassy weeds can disguise themselves in lawns and spread quickly before detection
• Dallisgrass and crabgrass have distinct characteristics that make them easier to identify
• Early identification and proper treatment methods are essential for effective weed control

Key Things That Make Dallisgrass and Crabgrass Different

How Tall These Weeds Get In Your Lawn

I find that height is one of the easiest ways to spot which weed is which.

Dallisgrass grows much taller and stands up straight in your lawn. Meanwhile, crabgrass stays close to the ground and has wider leaves.

What Their Seeds Look Like

The seed heads on these weeds are quite different:

Dallisgrass seeds:

• Large seed heads
• Black spots visible
• Grow from stem sides

Crabgrass seeds:

• Small, delicate seed heads
• No spots
• Grow from stem tops

How They Spread Across Your Lawn

Each weed has its own way of taking over your grass:

Dallisgrass:

• Forms round clumps
• Spreads from short underground stems
• Grows wider in circles

Crabgrass:

• Creates lots of branches
• Makes up to 700 stems per plant
• Can drop 150,000 seeds

The Color Difference

I’ve noticed these weeds have different shades:

Annual vs Perennial Growth

The way these weeds come back each year is quite different:

Dallisgrass:

• Lives for many years
• Same roots come back yearly
• Grows in thick, round patches

Crabgrass:

• Lives for one season
• Dies in winter
• Comes back from new seeds
• Spreads in a star pattern

Controlling Common Lawn Weeds

Getting Rid of Dallisgrass

Dallisgrass is one of the trickiest weeds I’ve dealt with. Pre-emergent products won’t stop this tough grass from growing.

I’ve found that targeted herbicide treatments work best for control. You’ll need to apply them directly to the weed.

Key treatment tips:

• Use selective herbicides made for dallisgrass
• Plan for 2-3 applications spread 2-3 weeks apart
• Treat actively growing weeds for best results
• Spot treat individual clumps

The roots of dallisgrass grow deep, making it harder to remove completely. I recommend using a mix of pulling young plants and applying herbicides to mature ones.

Beating Crabgrass Problems

I find crabgrass much easier to manage than dallisgrass. The key is prevention. Get ahead of it before seeds sprout in spring.

Best control methods:

• Apply pre-emergent herbicide in early spring
• Make 2 applications for better coverage
• Time first treatment for late March
• Follow up during next fertilizer application
• Use post-emergent sprays on breakthrough weeds

Prevention timeline:

1. Early spring (March): First pre-emergent application
2. Mid-spring (April/May): Second application
3. Summer: Spot treat any survivors with post-emergent spray

A thick, healthy lawn helps prevent both weeds. I always tell people to focus on good mowing habits, proper watering, and regular fertilizing. This makes it harder for weeds to take hold in the first place.

Keep Your Lawn Strong to Block These Weeds

I recommend starting a strong defense against both types of grass weeds before they show up. A thick, healthy lawn naturally stops these weeds from growing.

Mowing height makes a big difference. I keep my grass at 3 to 3.5 inches tall. This blocks sunlight from reaching weed seeds on the ground.

Water plays a key role too. I make sure my lawn gets at least 1.5 inches of water weekly. This includes both rain and sprinkler time.

Here are my top prevention tips:

• Apply pre-emergent herbicide in early spring
• Fill in bare spots with grass seed right away
• Keep the lawn thick through yearly aeration
• Add fresh soil and seed in fall
• Watch for signs of stress in high-traffic areas

The best defense comes from mixing these methods. When I keep my grass healthy and thick, weeds have less space to grow. Adding pre-emergent treatments stops new seeds from sprouting.

My lawn stays stronger when I match grass types to my local climate. This helps the good grass outcompete these pesky weeds.

Getting Rid of Lawn Weeds: A Battle Plan for Dallisgrass and Crabgrass

I know dealing with lawn weeds can be a pain. Both dallisgrass and crabgrass are tough invaders that need swift action to control. The key is getting ahead of these pesky weeds before they take over your yard.

Here are the main differences between these two weeds:

Dallisgrass

• Grows in thick clumps
• Stays alive through winter
• Harder to remove
• Spreads through seeds and roots

Crabgrass

• Dies in winter
• Returns from seeds in spring
• Easier to control
• Produces thousands of seeds

A thick, healthy lawn is your best defense against both types of weeds. I recommend these steps to keep your grass strong:

1. Mow at the right height

2. Water deeply but less often

3. Use fertilizer at the right times

4. Apply pre-emergent weed control

5. Remove weeds as soon as you spot them

Pro tip: Don’t wait until these weeds take over. Early action makes control much easier.

Your lawn needs year-round attention to stay weed-free.