For golf course superintendents
Crabgrass control programs for golf course fairways
A two-step pre-emergent and post-emergent program for consistent, fairway-ready turf all season.
Crabgrass is one of the most common, and most preventable, turf problems superintendents deal with each season. A single missed pre-emergent window can mean weeks of visible, off-color patches disrupting fairway uniformity right when course conditions matter most. A two-step program, pre-emergent to stop it before it starts and post-emergent to clean up any escapes, reliably keeps fairways crabgrass-free with minimal turf disruption.
Why crabgrass is a fairway problem
Crabgrass is an annual grassy weed that germinates from seed once soil temperatures warm each spring. On fairways mowed at low heights, it outcompetes desirable turf in thin or stressed areas, and its coarse texture and light green color stand out immediately against uniform bermuda, zoysia, or bentgrass. Once established, it takes significantly more time and product to remove than to prevent in the first place.
A two-step program
Step 1 · Pre-emergent
Pendi Hydrocap
Creates a chemical barrier in the soil that stops crabgrass and 40+ other weeds before they establish. Apply when soil temperatures at a 4-inch depth reach the mid-50s°F for several consecutive days, a few weeks ahead of germination in your region.
1.1 to 2.3 fl. oz. per 1,000 sq. ft.
Step 2 · Post-emergent
QuinKill Max
Cleans up any crabgrass that gets past the pre-emergent barrier. Apply while weeds are young and actively growing; treated weeds show leaf and stem curling within days, followed by full dieback.
1.5 fl. oz. per 1,000 sq. ft.
Seasonal calendar
Early spring
Soil temps approaching mid-50s°F: first Pendi Hydrocap application.
6 to 9 weeks later
Sequential pre-emergent application for season-long coverage, depending on residual and regional pressure.
Through summer
Spot-treat any escaped crabgrass with QuinKill Max while it’s still young.
Late summer
Assess fairway condition and plan fall pre-emergent timing if winter annual grasses are a concern.
Turf recovery and handling notes
QuinKill Max is selective for grassy weeds, so desirable turf on the label (perennial ryegrass, bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, tall fescue) isn’t affected when applied according to label directions. Avoid mowing immediately before or after either application, and keep carts and foot traffic off treated areas until the spray has dried.
Common questions
Can Pendi Hydrocap and QuinKill Max be used on the same fairway in one season?
Yes. They target crabgrass at different life stages, pre-emergent before germination and post-emergent after, so pairing them is the standard program rather than a substitute for one another.
Will a pre-emergent application affect overseeding plans?
Pre-emergent herbicides can interfere with desirable grass seed germination too, so time any overseeding around the residual window rather than applying both at once. Check the product label for the specific interval.
Building a full-season program for your course?
Contact Agrisel for pricing on Pendi Hydrocap and QuinKill Max in volumes sized for fairway-scale applications.