If you don't want to use chemicals, you'll have to either have to dig it up or smother it. And the seeds will remain active in the soil foer several years.

Ugh lol. If I did want to use chemicals is there anything that’s not completely terrible for me and the environment

Google can be overwhelming as there is so much info and no idea where to begin! I prefer to hear from experienced homeowners who know what’s best and hve tried for themselves. Thank you for all this info! I will be trying this out :)

While almost all of Trailrunner's advice is spot on, I'm going to take exception to the comments about lime :-) Liming a lawn - or not liming - has no impact on killing weeds or weedy grass. And a lawn or the soil bed in prep for planting a lawn does not automatically require lime. Most types of lawn grasses prefer a soil pH of neutral (7.0) to slightly acidic (6.3 to 6.5). Liming is only necessary if the pH is lower than 6.3.

And you can over apply lime. Too much too frequently and the pH will become excessively alkaline and desired grasses will become starved for nutrients.

Never apply any amendments willy nilly. Get a professional soil test done and then apply only the amount and frequency advised.

I have some questions which will help get you going again.

• Where do you live (not your zone).
• What kind of grass do you have (or want to have)?
• When was the grass planted?
• What was your normal watering plan over the summer?
• Also, can you post a close up picture of the crabgrass? Close means about a foot above the grass.

True crabgrass is a summer annual plant and will die when the weather gets frosty. The problem is it is a prolific seeder and will leave plenty of seed for germination next spring. You need to get a new lawn down NOW so it will develop strong roots prior to next summer's heat.