How to Prevent Crabgrass in a Wildflower Garden

The use of wildflowers in landscapes has become more prevalent since the 1960's. Wildflowers establish easily and require less care than other ornamental plants, especially when they are native to the region. Crabgrass, a vigorously growing grass weed, can invade wildflower gardens and impede their growth. Because the weed grows within the flowerbed, it is important not to disturb the surrounding wildflowers when removing this weed; instead, remove the existing crabgrass from the area with herbicide before planting your wildflowers for the season, and monitor the area for any crabgrass that sprouts up throughout the growing season.

Herbicide
Landscaping fabric
Scissors
Landscaping pins
Mulch
Spade

Instructions

- 1
  Apply a pre-emergent herbicide in March that is chemically formulated to prevent crabgrass seeds from germinating. Spray the wildflower garden with the herbicide, but prevent spraying surrounding areas where you are planning to plant grass. Pre-emergent herbicide prevents other types of grass seed from germinating, and stays in the soil for at least six months.
- 2
  Lay a piece of landscaping material next to the wildflower garden. Cut the landscaping fabric to fit the parameters of the garden with scissors. Spread out the landscaping fabric over the wildflower garden bed.
- 3
  Press landscaping pins through the landscaping fabric into the soil to secure the fabric. Place a pin every 6 to 12 inches.
- 4
  Apply a 3-inch layer of mulch over the fabric to hide the material and prevent crabgrass from encroaching on the wildflowers.
- 5
  Hand-pull any crabgrass weeds that you see pop up in the garden, or press a spade 3 inches from the grass and 6 inches deep to lift up the roots of the weeds.

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