Summer Ready Lawns: The Secret is Pre-Emergent

Late winter and early spring in Taylors, SC can be unpredictable, but for your lawn, the clock is ticking. At Staggs Garden Center, we know that a lush, weed-free summer lawn isn't made in June--it's made right now.

The trick to winning the war against crabgrass and goosegrass is using a pre-emergent. These products create a specialized vapor barrier at the soil surface that stops weed seeds from ever reaching the sunlight. If you wait until you see the weeds, you've already lost the first battle.

Since South Carolina lawns are a mix of "warm season" and "cool season" grasses, we've hand-selected two professional-grade Lebanon products to get the job done right.

For Bermuda & Zoysia: Lebanon 0-0-7 with Barricade

This is a specialized "weed and no-feed" formula designed specifically for Bermuda and Zoysia. Because these grasses don't need heavy nitrogen while they are still waking up, the 0-0-7 analysis focuses on soil health and potassium without forcing premature growth. It’s loaded with Barricade (Prodiamine), the industry standard for long-lasting control against crabgrass. One application now ensures your lawn stays clean as the temperatures rise.

For Fescue: Lebanon 16-0-8 with Pre-Emergent

Tailored for the Upstate’s favorite cool-season grass, the 16-0-8 formula provides a balanced hit of nitrogen to help your Fescue pop with deep green color. While the fertilizer feeds the blades, the integrated pre-emergent sets up a defensive wall against invasive summer annuals. It’s the perfect two-in-one punch to thicken your turf and block out the competition before the summer heat hits.

Pro-Tips for Success in Taylors SC:

1. Timing is Everything: Aim to apply your pre-emergent when soil temperatures hit about 55°F. Around here, that's usually by early March!

2. Water it In: Pre-emergents need about a half-inch of water (rain or irrigation) to "activate" the barrier in the soil.

3. Don't Scarify: Once you apply, avoid heavy raking or aerating, as breaking the soil surface can "break" the chemical shield.

   
   

Not sure which grass type you have? Swing by Staggs Garden Center in Taylors with a small patch of your turf, and our experts will help you pick the right bag for your backyard. In the meantime, take a peek at our other Fertilizers and Chemicals to see if we have what your yard is needing!