Dallisgrass vs Crabgrass | Key Differences (Pictures) and Control

I am much concerned about the weeds and the beauty of my lawn. Are you a person of the same kind? Well, all of us want to have a nice outlook of the lawn with green grass. But some grassy weeds may invade your lawn and it is quite difficult to handle these. They are tough to identify and eradicate. However, the control measures become more and more complicated if you have identified the weed wrong. There is a slight difference between the two annual grasses of Maryland and North Virginia and thus you may get confused while telling the differences between Dallisgrass vs Crabgrass

Key Differences: Dallisgrass vs Crabgrass

Feature	Dallisgrass	Crabgrass
Plant Height	Taller, 9-12 inches in height	shorter, spread with only 4-6 inches height
Plant Stand	Upright	shorter, spread with only 4-6 inches of height
Seeds	Larger with black spots	Small, fine
Seed Heads	On  the side of the stem	On the top of the stem
Seeds per plant	150,000 seeds	100,000 to120,000 seeds
Areas	Maryland, North Virginia	Maryland, North Virginia, St Augustine
Uses and Importance	Spread	Dead and dry hay is a feed

Following are some of the main differences in detail

Plant Morphology

Morphologically, both weeds are different on the following grounds;

• Leaf Color – Although there is a slight difference yet, you will notice a bluish-green color in the leaves of Crabgrass. The other partner is pale green in appearance.
• Seeds – One can easily tell the difference between the Dallisgrass and Crabgrass physically by looking at their seeds. Seeds of Dallisgrass are large, and rough, with spots on them. On the other side, seeds of Crabgrass are small, fine, and shiny.
• Seed Head – This is one of the striking differences. Anyone can notice it. Seed heads of Crab Grass are small, fine, and grow at the top. However, in Dallis Grass, seed heads are larger and grow from the sides of the stem laterally.

Plant Physiology

As you are quite curious to know more about the differences between these two weeds, the following differences will let you know more clearly about these.

• Growth Habit – They both grow aggressively and will occupy your lawn in months. Dallisgrass grow from seeds, clumps, and vegetative parts as well. The crabgrass is grown only through seeds. Thus they can easily occupy and be overcrowded in your lawn with such successful growing mechanisms. Moreover, dallisgrass grows slowly in diameter, spreading all around and giving a growth pattern. It produces more tiller. The number of tillers may be 150 to 700 tillers. Every tiller can produce 2000 seeds. Thus a plant can produce up to 150,000 seeds.
• Life Cycle – Here is another big difference between Dallisgrass vs Crabgrass. Crabgrass produces seeds and every year, germinate from the seeds in the soil – annual. Dallisgrass loves to grow from the root system of the previous year – perennial.
• Growth Appearance – As the crabgrass is spread in nature, it spreads like fireworks, random, and wide. However, Dallisgrass gives circular clumps like outgrowth.

How to Control Dallisgrass and Crabgrass

How to Control Crabgrass?

As the crabgrass regrows through seeds, it is better to control it before seed shedding or germination. For this, it is better to apply pre-emergent herbicide. This herbicide is applied to the soil and it limits the germination of the target plants or herbs. Moreover, applying two split treatments with a gap of 2 weeks will give you a better result. Usually, 1st dose is applied in the start of the March and second in the last week of March. It is recommended to apply fertilizers after the treatment of the herbs.

How to Control Dallisgrass?

However, as the Dallisgrass has more growing options like the root system and seeds, it is quite difficult to control it. A selective herbicide can be the best option. Here, again, you need to apply 2 sprays to get a clean lawn.

Preventive Measures for Grassy Weeds

The following 6 preventive measures can help you to get rid of these troubleshooting weeds.

1. These weeds love to grow in thin and stressed grassy lawns. Keep your lawn thick to prevent the growth of Dallisgrass and Crabgrass.
2. Always mow your grassy garden keeping it 3-4 inches tall. This height ensures better growth.
3. Never leave your grass without mowing. Tall and leggy grass causes shade and the shade can cause germination of the grassy weed seeds.
4. Water grassy fields regularly. Keep watering frequently and always apply light irrigation but more frequently.
5. Try to use better soil or soil medium. A better mixture can give you a better start and healthy grass.
6. Crabgrass preventer can help you to get rid of this grassy weed. Apply crabgrass preventer along with lime after the irrigation. This makes it more effective.

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