In the town in CA where I grew up (Lompoc) some people had given up the fight and their entire lawn was crab grass. It was the nastiest stuff to walk on. They're sneaky, too with those runners. Mulch *should* keep them from getting another toe hold. I forgot to mention that mulches also prevent erosion.

One of my friends mulches with cotton seed hulls. You don't have to put them down so thick--1-2 inches. And they look kinda cool. If you live in a real windy spot though, they might blow away.

And shredded cedar mulch is really good. See Gardening Tips by John Begeman
______

"If you want yor children to be bright, read them fairytales-- if you want them to be brilliant, read them even more fairytales" Albert Einstein