Weed Control in Georgia

Pre-emergent herbicides work by creating a chemical barrier in the top layer of soil that stops weed seeds from germinating, but they do not kill weeds that have already broken the surface. If weeds were already actively growing when the pre-emergent was applied, or if the soil was disturbed by foot traffic, aeration, or digging after application, the barrier may have gaps. Georgia's climate also creates a longer window for weed germination than most northern states: crabgrass starts germinating when soil temperatures reach around 55°F, which in the Atlanta area can happen as early as late February. A single late-winter pre-emergent application may not provide full coverage through May if the product label's duration runs short. This is why programs that pair timed pre-emergent applications with post-emergent follow-ups outperform single treatments.

Yellow nutsedge and purple nutsedge are among the most persistent weeds in Georgia, and they are technically sedges, not broadleaf weeds or grasses, which means standard broadleaf herbicides do not control them. They reproduce through underground tubers that survive even when the visible plant is killed, and each tuber can generate multiple new plants the following season. Wild violet is another difficult repeat offender because its waxy leaf surface resists herbicide absorption; it often requires multiple applications of a specifically labeled product to achieve control. Perennial grassy weeds like dallisgrass also re-establish from rhizomes that survive in the soil. One-time applications rarely eliminate these species. Consistent, multi-season treatment combined with dense, healthy turf that crowds out weed seedlings is the most effective long-term approach.

This is an important timing question that affects whether you lose your weed barrier or your new seed. Core aeration physically disrupts the pre-emergent barrier in the soil, which reduces its effectiveness against future germinating weeds. Overseeding after a pre-emergent application is also problematic because the same barrier that prevents weed seeds from germinating will also suppress your grass seed. 

The standard guidance is not to overseed within 8 to 12 weeks of a pre-emergent application, depending on the specific product used. For fescue lawns where fall aeration and overseeding are the priority, pre-emergent timing needs to account for this: fall pre-emergents targeting winter annuals like henbit and chickweed should be applied after the overseeding has established, not before. Coordinate with your lawn care provider so aeration, overseeding, and pre-emergent schedules do not conflict.

Bed weed control uses a different set of tools than turf weed control because the goal is to protect ornamentals, not grass. Turf weed control often relies on selective herbicides that kill broadleaf plants or grassy weeds without harming turfgrass. Most of those selective herbicides would damage or kill ornamental plants, flowering perennials, or shrubs if applied to landscape beds. Bed weed control typically uses pre-emergent granulars applied to bare mulch or soil to prevent germination, combined with targeted post-emergent spot treatments for emerged weeds using non-selective products applied carefully to avoid contact with ornamentals. Environmental Turf Management's programs include bed weed control, which is important because beds are among the most common sources of weed seeds migrating into lawn turf along border edges.

Pre-emergent weed control prevents weeds by creating a chemical barrier that stops seeds from germinating, typically applied before weeds appear in early spring or fall. Post-emergent treatments kill actively growing weeds by targeting their leaves and roots. Using both methods ensures comprehensive lawn protection—pre-emergents block future weeds while post-emergents remove existing invasive plants, helping maintain a healthy, weed-free lawn.

Most professional liquid applications require a dry-down period of 1 to 2 hours before the treated area is safe for children and pets to re-enter. Granular fertilizers generally require watering in first, then a short drying period. Your technician should specify the re-entry interval based on the products applied that day, and reputable companies will note this on the service receipt or door hanger. Georgia's summer humidity can extend dry-down time slightly. The risk is not just skin contact, but pets licking treated grass blades before the product has fully dried and absorbed. If your provider cannot tell you the re-entry interval for what was applied, that is a question worth asking before every visit.