What can I do to control Crabgrass in my yard? I have tried the store bought herbicides and they aren't working. Any remedy that might work?

Crabgrass is a warm season weed that germinates in late spring after the soil warms, so they best way to control it is to apply a pre emergent herbicide just as the soil is warming to prevent germination.

Timing is critical and is weather dependant, but generally, you’ll know that it is a good time when the forsythia begins to bloom. (By the calendar, get the application down during the first two weeks in April.) If you have had a problem, with crabgrass before, you may need to make an additional application 8 weeks later. Follow label directions.

Raking up your dead grass is a great idea before applying a pre-emergent herbicide. Raking will improve the coverage of the herbicide on the ground and should then do a better job.

When you go to your local garden center, you will find the herbicide marked either “pre-emergent” or “crabgrass control.” It’s sometimes hard to find just the herbicide; many times chemical companies will package the herbicide with a fertilizer.

It is not necessary to apply fertilizer if you made a fertilizer application in the fall, but if you haven’t fertilized in a while, you could put down the combination.

Another way that you can help to control crabgrass is with good mowing practices. Cut your grass to a height of three inches when you mow. Mow when the grass reaches four inches tall. The tall three inch cutting height will help to shade out the crabgrass and prevent germination.

There are also post emergent crabgrass controls on the market; they generally take multiple applications to be effective and can sometimes damage your fescue.

This year I think I put it down too late after it was already visibly growing. I need to get it down earlier.
Thanks.