Lawn weed control in Charleston SC works best as a plan, not a spray bottle. Most weeds in a Lowcountry lawn come back on a schedule. Crabgrass and other summer annuals sprout as the soil warms in late winter. Henbit, chickweed and annual bluegrass sprout in fall. Perennials like dollarweed and sedges hang on year round. Right Stuff Lawn Care uses preemergent treatments to stop annual weeds before they come up, and targeted postemergent treatments for the ones that break through, all matched to your grass type. We treat lawns in Mount Pleasant, James Island, Daniel Island, Hanahan, Goose Creek and across the Charleston area.
What's included
- Identifying the weeds in your lawn and the grass they are growing in
- A late winter preemergent treatment for crabgrass and other summer annual weeds
- A follow up preemergent application to extend control through the season
- A fall preemergent treatment for winter annual weeds
- Spot treatment of broadleaf weeds, grassy weeds and sedges with products labeled for your grass
- Checking for conditions that feed weeds, like thin turf, low mowing, poor drainage or overwatering
- Clear notes after each visit on what was applied and anything you should do or avoid
How it works
- Quote. We look at the lawn, identify the main weeds and send a free quote within one business day.
- Schedule. We set your treatments to the calendar, with preemergent visits in late winter and early fall and spot treatments when weather allows.
- Visit. We text before each visit. The same crew applies product according to the label and leaves notes on what was done.
- Follow up. We check results on the next visit and retreat or adjust if a weed is hanging on.
When to schedule it in the Lowcountry
Timing is most of the job with preemergent products. They have to be down before the seeds germinate, or they do nothing.
- Summer annual weeds. Clemson recommends applying preemergent when air temperatures reach 65 to 70 degrees for four days in a row. On the coast that is usually mid February to around March 1. A second application 8 to 10 weeks later carries control through the season.
- Winter annual weeds. Apply when nighttime lows fall to 55 to 60 degrees for four days in a row, typically September 15 to October 1 on the coast, with a repeat about 8 to 10 weeks later.
- Broadleaf weeds already up. Clemson says postemergent treatments work best in spring or fall when air temperatures are between 65 and 85 degrees.
There are times to hold off. Clemson warns against postemergent herbicides during spring greenup, when centipede and St. Augustine are especially easy to injure. St. Augustine is also sensitive to some common broadleaf products and should not be treated when temperatures pass 90 degrees. Preemergent should not go down right before core aeration, since punching holes through the barrier weakens it. It also stops grass seed, so we plan around any overseeding.
Herbicides only go so far. Clemson's guidance puts cultural care first. A lawn mowed at the right height, watered deeply about an inch a week, fed to a soil test and aerated when compacted is thick enough to crowd weeds out. We look at all of that, not just the weeds.
What affects the price
- Lawn size and how much of it needs treatment
- The type of weeds and how established they are
- Grass type, which limits which products can be used safely
- Number of visits in your program, including fall and spring preemergent rounds
- Whether weed control is bundled with a fertilization program
Related guides
Our guide to preemergent timing in Charleston goes deeper on the late winter and fall windows. To put a name to what is growing in your yard, see common lawn weeds in Charleston. If round, coin shaped leaves are taking over wet spots, read how to get rid of dollarweed.
Frequently asked questions
When should preemergent go down in Charleston?
For summer weeds like crabgrass, from mid February to around March 1 on the coast, once air temperatures hold at 65 to 70 degrees for four days. For winter weeds, from mid September to October 1. A second round 8 to 10 weeks after each first application extends control.
Why do I still have weeds after a preemergent treatment?
Preemergent only stops seeds from sprouting. It does not kill weeds that are already up, and it does not control most perennials like dollarweed or sedges. Those need a postemergent product labeled for your grass, applied when temperatures are right.
Is weed control safe for St. Augustine and centipede?
It can be, when the product is labeled for that grass and applied at the right time. Both grasses are sensitive during spring greenup, and St. Augustine should not be treated in high heat. We choose products and timing with your grass in mind and always follow the label.
Can I seed and use preemergent at the same time?
Not in the same area. Preemergent products stop grass seed from germinating the same way they stop weed seed. If we are seeding thin spots, we plan the preemergent schedule around it.