No one likes to see sprawling, course-textured crabgrass ruining an otherwise beautiful lawn. Unfortunately, by the time you see this grassy weed, the opportunity to easily control it is already passed.

"Crabgrass is an annual weed that sets seed in the late summer and germinates early in the spring," said John Pailthorp, Spectrum Brands Senior Marketing Manger. "The key to eliminating it in your yard is to stop it before it starts!"

Crabgrass preventers are designed to prevent crabgrass seeds and many other weed seeds from germinating. Some, like Vigoro® Ultra TurfT Pre-Emergent Crabgrass & Weed Control, also provide early post-emergent weed control. This product is especially useful for applications to warm-season grasses during the dormant season. But for most effective results, they must be applied before the crabgrass and other weeds sprout. How can you tell when the time is right? Well, you could measure the soil temperature, since crabgrass seeds germinate in the spring when soils reach 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Thankfully, since it's not practical for most of us to do this, there's an easier way to know when it's time to apply crabgrass preventer. Simply look for those bright, spring yellow-flowering forsythias to come into full bloom. Their spectacular show almost always coincides with soil temperatures that encourage crabgrass germination.

After you apply the crabgrass preventer granules, they dissolve, spreading out to form a chemical barrier in the soil that prevents emerging seedlings from maturing. If this barrier is incomplete or disturbed, it could allow some weed seeds to bypass the barrier, surviving and thriving in your yard. For best results, rake leaves, sticks and other debris from the yard before applying the crabgrass preventer, and if using core aerating or verti-slicing equipment, also do that before application.

Maintaining a thick, vigorous lawn is one of the best ways to discourage crabgrass and other weeds from getting a stronghold. Choose crabgrass preventer with fertilizer, such as Vigoro Ultra Turf Pre-Emergent Crabgrass Control plus Fertilizer, to help thicken your lawn, crowding out any weedy invaders. Other things you can do to discourage weeds and enjoy a beautiful lawn include:

• Set the mower higher. Taller grass will shade out and discourage weeds.
• Don't over water in the spring. Excessive shallow watering promotes weed-seed germination.
• Spot kill any crabgrass in the late summer before it sets seeds with a post-emergent Crabgrass control product.
• Read product labels carefully and follow all directions. Do not over apply or apply other than during the season and conditions recommended.
• Clean any granules from sidewalks and driveways to avoid staining. Look for non-staining formulations such as Vigoro Crabgrass Ultra Turf products for best results.