How to Kill Crabgrass in Your Flower Beds

Nothing is more frustrating than filling your flower bed with new plants and seeing the crabgrass making its unwanted appearance. In fact, almost every gardener will have to deal with trying to eradicate crabgrass at some point. There are many products on the market you can purchase to kill it, and there are some home remedies you can try. Regardless of which method you choose, don't be surprised if it takes a couple of applications to make the crabgrass go away for good. Continue reading for some tips on ridding your flowers beds of crabgrass.

Weed Killer

Shovel

Vinegar

Spray Bottle

Dish soap

Gin

Purchase a weed killer that specifies it will kill crabgrass at your local home improvement store. There are many brands on the market, but don't let the price fool you. Just because it's expensive, doesn't mean it will work any better than some of the less expensive weed killers. Spray the product directly on the crabgrass, making sure not to get any on your plants. Do not allow the area to get any water for at least 24 hours. You should see the crabgrass beginning to die by the next day. If, in a few days, if the grass is not completely dead, spray the area again.

Put undiluted white vinegar in a spray bottle. For several years the USDA has been conducting experiments using vinegar as a weed killer, with outstanding results. Spray your solution directly on the crabgrass, being careful not to spray any tender plants. Don't water the area for at least 24 hours and you should see results within a day. You may have to repeat this process, if the grass doesn't completely die.

Fill a spray bottle with one part white vinegar, one part gin and one part dish soap. Spray the area where the crabgrass is a problem. This is a home remedy that some gardeners use. You can use this solution on other weeds, too. Don't allow the area to get wet for at least 24 hours. Repeat the spraying if necessary.

Boil a pot of water. Pour the boiling water over the crabgrass twice. According to many gardeners, boiling water is another environmentally safe way to rid your flower beds of weeds and unwanted grasses. If the crabgrass doesn't look like it's completely dead, pour some more boiling water on it.

Dig up the unwanted crabgrass, making sure to get the roots. This process takes more work, but you'll be getting to the root of the problem. Once you've removed the grass and its roots, you may have to spray the area with one of the weed-killing treatments listed above, to remove any stragglers.

Place a protective covering over your flowers before you spray, if the crabgrass is growing close to them.