Although it might be confusing to know when to apply pre- and post-emergent weed control in Georgia, a good general rule is to do it during spring and fall.
In this article, we’ll tell you the best dates to apply pre-emergent herbicides in the Peach State and the best time to apply post-emergent herbicides and “weed and feed” products. Let’s dive in.
When to apply pre-emergent herbicides in Georgia
In Georgia, it is ideal to apply pre-emergent herbicides at least two times a year: mid-February to mid-March to control summer weeds, and again in mid-August to mid-September to control the winter weeds in Georgia.
See the recommended dates for pre-emergent herbicide applications in the chart below:
| Recommended dates for spring application | Recommended dates for fall application | |
| North Georgia | March 1 to 20 | August 15 to September 15 |
| South Georgia | February 15 to March 15 | September 1 to 15 |
Spring applications will get rid of common Georgia lawn weeds that appear in the summer, such as goosegrass and crabgrass. Fall herbicide applications will help control winter annual weeds such as annual bluegrass, henbit, and common chickweed.
Pro tip: It is important to keep in mind that these dates may differ according to your location and other environmental factors. A more accurate measure is to go by the soil temperatures.
- In the fall, wait until soil temperatures drop between 65 F and 70 F to apply pre-emergent herbicides.
- In the spring, apply pre-emergent weed control before soil temperatures reach 55 F. If you’d like to check the soil temperatures in your city, the GreenCast website can provide you with real-time data.
When to apply post-emergent herbicides in Georgia
The best time to apply post-emergent herbicides in Georgia is the fall and late spring months after the annual and perennial weeds have emerged and are actively growing. And because these months are generally cooler, the grass is more tolerant to herbicides.
Here are some important tips to follow when applying post-emergent herbicides:
- Don’t apply post-emergent herbicides when the grass is suffering from heat stress or drought stress. If temperatures are 90 F or above, hold off on the herbicide application.
- Avoid applying post-emergent herbicides on warm-season grasses when the grass is greening up after winter dormancy. During this period, the risk of injuring the lawn is greater than during the dormancy or active growth stage. Wait until the turf is actively growing to apply your weed control.
Side note: Because Georgia has a large land area with different planting zones, warm-season lawns are more common in central and south Georgia, while cool-season grass seeds are used in north Georgia. To see the best grass seeds for your region, read our article on The Best Grass Seed for Georgia Lawns.
When to apply weed and feed in Georgia
The ideal times to apply weed and feed in Georgia are in February or March, but only if you have a tall fescue lawn. “Weed and feed” products contain both pre-emergent herbicides and fertilizers. And since your tall fescue lawn would benefit from a fertilizer application during this period, combining it with a pre-emergent herbicide application is OK.
But if you’re going for a late summer pre-emergent application, it is best to apply the herbicide alone, since it is not the best time to fertilize tall fescue.
For warm-season grasses, weed and feed products are not recommended at all. Here’s why:
- Fertilizers should only be applied when the grass is actively growing, and warm-season grasses’ active growth begins in April or May. So if you apply a weed and feed in February or March, the fertilizer will already have left the root zone by the time the grass begins to grow.
- The second yearly weed control application is made in late summer, and at this time a fertilizer can disrupt the grass’ process to prepare for winter dormancy, leading to spring dead spots in the following year.
Pro tip: If you’d like to learn more about the best moments to fertilize and perform other lawn care tasks in your state, visit our Month-to-Month Lawn Care Calendar for Georgia.
More Georgia resources
We also have other articles to help Georgia homeowners that might interest you. If you’d like to learn more, visit our other guides:
FAQ about weed control in Georgia
When should I apply pre-emergent weed control in Atlanta?
The best dates to apply pre-emergent weed control in Atlanta are March 1 (to control summer weeds) and September 15 (to control winter weeds). You can apply pre-emergents yourself or contact an Atlanta lawn care pro to help you with this task.
Can I apply herbicide on newly seeded lawns?
You should not apply pre-emergent weed control on newly seeded, overseeded, or sprigged lawns. You should wait until the grass has established a root system, when it becomes more tolerant of herbicides. A good rule of thumb is to apply weed control after the grass has been mowed at least four times.
However, by following some precautions, it is possible to safely apply post-emergent weed control on newly established lawns: Use only half of the recommended rate after the third or fourth mow and repeat the application after a week to 10 days.
Side note: If you’d like to read more about planting grass seeds in Georgia, read our guide on How and When to Plant Grass Seed in Georgia.
What is the difference between pre-emergent and post-emergent weed control?
Pre-emergent herbicides are applied before the weeds emerge, while post-emergent herbicides are applied once the weeds have already appeared and are actively growing.
Find a Pro Near You
Although it might seem easy to apply herbicides yourself, it is important to follow the safety precautions and the instructions contained on the label. But why not hand this task over to an experienced professional? Contact a local lawn care pro so you can lay back and enjoy a lush and weed-free lawn.
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